From the Cheese Portraits series.

White River Creamery in Elkins, Arkansas is a family farmstead cheese maker, and perhaps the only one in that state. They are the subject of my 48th cheese map cheese portrait!

The McCormick family was generous to send me some of this new cheese "Caillou Noir", which is French for black pebble. They raise goats and make a variety of cheeses including goat Chèvre and feta and I was lucky to get any cheese from them at this chaotic time of year; they're in the beginning of kidding season on the farm.

This cheese, however is new since this winter and it's made with pasteurized cow milk.

Each ball of cheese fits in the palm of your hand and is rolled in black pepper and enhanced with garlic. As it ages and dries, it condenses and hardens so it can be shaved like Parmesan. The aging intensifies the flavor, lending it to be used like a truffle with small shavings to enhance a dish. After cutting one in half I shaved a sliver off to taste and it was intense. I can see why this is more like a truffle; it is absolutely delicious.

Origin: Arkansas, USA

Price: $550