Provence · France
Banon.
Banon is a whisper of Provence wrapped in chestnut leaves—soft, creamy goat cheese with a tangy bite that opens into earthy, herbaceous notes. The natural rind carries whispers of hay and funk, while the leaf wrapper imparts subtle tannins and a faint spirit warmth that lingers on the palate, making each bite taste like terroir itself.
Origin
44.1°N · 6.1°E
The story
How it's made.
Why it tastes that way.
Banon is the only Provençal cheese to hold AOC status. The cheese is named after the village of Banon in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.
Its defining feature is wrapping in chestnut leaves soaked in eau-de-vie, which imparts earthy, slightly tannic notes. It received AOC protection in 2003.
Production · spec
- Milk
- Goat · raw
- Family
- Soft-bloomy
- Rind
- natural
- Age
- 0–1 mo
- Protected
- AOP · since 2007
- Intensity
- 3 / 5
- Texture
- soft
Tasting profile
What it tastes like.
These bars are a visual read of Banon's flavour and aroma notes, scaled by the cheese's overall intensity — a quick guide, not a lab measurement.
Aroma
Nutrition · per 100 g serving
What's in a wedge.
A 100 g serving — about a finger-thick wedge. Daily values use the FDA 2020 reference of 2,000 kcal. Expect ±5% variation between wheels.
Serve, cut & store
Out of the fridge,
into its prime.
Guidance for soft-bloomy cheeses — general practice, not a per-wheel measurement.
Rest
Take it out about 1.5–2 h before serving — cold stiffens the fat and locks up the aromas; cool room temperature is when the flavour shows up.
Cut
Cut like a cake — slim wedges from the centre, through the rind. Don't scoop the middle and strand the shell.
Store
Wrap leftovers in cheese paper or wax paper — never cling film, which suffocates the rind — and keep them in the warmest part of the fridge.
Rule of thumb: the softer and riper, the longer it needs. Thick pieces need longer than thin — and don't leave cheese out much past two hours.
Pairings · Caseo curated
What goes with Banon.
46 pairings across 7 categories.
Wine
Beer & Cider
Where to find it
Cheese counters.
Counter listings for Banon are being verified. Check back soon.
Verified counter listings coming soon. Our team updates listings monthly.
Substitutes
No Banon at the counter?.
These will play a similar role on the board and in the pan.
Take it with you
Want to remember this one?.
Log it, pair it, and keep your own tasting notes — Caseo is free.
