Washed Rind Basics

Washed Rind Basics

“Washed rind” is a way to describe cheeses that have their exteriors washed with mildly salted water solution to help attract bacteria essential for developing a moist rind.  This practice promotes a distinctive reddish colour and wonderful pungent smell.

There are high moisture content washed rind cheeses like, Fleur d’Aunis, (this month’s featured cheese) that get broken down by bacteria with age and become creamier over time. When they are perfectly ripe, the soft interior will actually ooze but remember they also get “stinkier” with all that oozing.

Other washed rind cheeses that start with lower moisture content like Gruyère or Appenzeller actually become firmer and drier as they age.