Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · France
Picodon.
A diminutive disk of tangy goat cheese with a delicate natural rind that gives way to a soft, almost creamy paste. The flavor snaps with peppery spice and herbaceous notes—hints of hay and lactic brightness—that build into a distinctly goaty warmth on the finish. It's assertive without being aggressive, with the kind of mineral edge that only limestone terroir can deliver.
Origin
45.3°N · 4.7°E
The story
How it's made.
Why it tastes that way.
Picodon (from the Occitan word for spicy) is an AOC goat cheese made on both banks of the Rhône, in the limestone-rich landscape of Ardèche and Drôme.
It has been produced since at least the 14th century. Its flavor intensifies markedly with age, and the extra-aged version (Picodon affiné) is quite pungent.
Production · spec
- Milk
- Goat · raw
- Family
- Soft-bloomy
- Rind
- natural
- Age
- 0–2 mo
- Protected
- AOP · since 1996
- Intensity
- 3 / 5
- Texture
- soft
Tasting profile
What it tastes like.
These bars are a visual read of Picodon'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 Picodon.
47 pairings across 8 categories.
Wine
Beer & Cider
Where to find it
Cheese counters.
Counter listings for Picodon are being verified. Check back soon.
Verified counter listings coming soon. Our team updates listings monthly.
Substitutes
No Picodon at the counter?.
These will play a similar role on the board and in the pan.
Take it with you
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