health
‘It’s become something of a craze’: influencers spread news of healthy French cheese
Cancoillotte is low in fat, high in protein and – until recently – little known outside of a village in eastern France
TL;DR
- Cancoillotte, a traditional French cheese product from Franche-Comté, is experiencing an unprecedented surge in popularity.
- Social media influencers, particularly in the health and fitness space, have discovered and promoted cancoillotte for its low fat and high protein content.
- The sudden demand has caught producers by surprise, leading to temporary shortages and prompting them to increase production.
- Cancoillotte is made from metton, a fat-free fermented cheese, with butter and salt added, and can include flavorings like onion or garlic.
- Its nutritional profile (low fat, high protein) makes it appealing to fitness enthusiasts, contrasting with higher-fat traditional cheeses.
- The cheese has a specific geographical indication (IGP) status, requiring its milk to come from a designated region.
- Producers are exploring new ways to market and use cancoillotte, though some experimental flavors have failed.