Liège · Belgium
Herve.
Herve hits you first with its aggressive barnyard funk—a washed-rind intensity that announces itself before you taste it. Beneath that pungent aroma lies a creamy, almost butter-soft paste that dissolves on your tongue with earthy, tangy notes and a subtle savory bite. It's the kind of cheese that smells louder than it tastes, rewarding the brave with a complex, lived-in creaminess.
Origin
50.6°N · 5.6°E
The story
How it's made.
Why it tastes that way.
Herve is one of Belgium's most ancient cheeses, documented since the Middle Ages (referenced around 1230 in the Roman de la Rose).
Made in the Pays de Herve plateau of Liège province, it is Belgium's only PDO cheese. It comes in doux (mild), demi-doux, piquant, and Remoudou (very strong) variants based on fat content and aging.
Production · spec
- Milk
- Cow · raw
- Family
- Washed-rind
- Rind
- washed
- Age
- 1–3 mo
- Protected
- PDO · since 1996
- Intensity
- 4 / 5
- Texture
- soft
Tasting profile
What it tastes like.
These bars are a visual read of Herve'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.
Estimated values — based on similar cheese family data
Serve, cut & store
Out of the fridge,
into its prime.
Guidance for washed-rind 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
Slice in wedges with the rind on — or for a very ripe wheel, take off the top and spoon.
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 Herve.
44 pairings across 6 categories.
Wine
Beer & Cider
Where to find it
Cheese counters.
Counter listings for Herve are being verified. Check back soon.
Verified counter listings coming soon. Our team updates listings monthly.
Substitutes
No Herve 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.
