Fromagerie des Trois Rapides: tasty artisanal and organic cheeses
When you combine passion, know-how and the use of the highest quality organic ingredients, you get absolutely irresistible fine cheeses. It was with this recipe that Hawkesbury-based Fromagerie des Trois Rapides launched its business in 2023, under the impetus of Alain Ménard.
President and co-founder of The Green Beaver Companya personal care products company, this dynamic entrepreneur has given life to a project whose idea was born in the midst of the pandemic. "I studied microbiology at McGill University's Macdonald Campus, and part of my curriculum included cheese production. It has always fascinated me, and I have a great passion for artisanal and organic cheese.".
100% organic and artisanal
La Fromagerie des Trois Rapides puts the emphasis on maturing to give character and maximum flavor to its selection. A partnership with a local farm guarantees a supply of organic milk. Not to mention 100% artisanal production techniques. "Our cheddar, Le Portageis matured with cheesecloth. It's hard work, but it makes all the difference in terms of texture and taste experience". says Alain Ménard.
With a choice of cheddar, gouda, camembert, raclette, Gruyère, St-Paulin and Mamirolle cheeses right from the launch, La Fromagerie des Trois Rapides stands out for a diverse and varied selection that will delight cheese lovers. "I felt there was a lack of variety when it came to artisanal and organic cheeses. And each cheese has its own characteristics, so as a producer, it's a lot of fun!" comments Alain Ménard.
Now that we've got our mouths watering, let's find out more about the cheeses from the Fromagerie des Trois Rapides. Discover them exclusively in La Boite à Grains.
Cheese selection
Le Portage No. 3 (Cheddar)
Cheddar-type Portage No. 3 undergoes an extended aging process wrapped in cheesecloth during maturation. Offering a robust, tangy taste with deeper complexities, it features nutty nuances and earthy flavors. Portage No. 3 won a silver medal at the Global Cheese Awards in the Organic Cheddar category in 2023.
- Texture: Firm, crumbly and often slightly grainy.
- Flavor: Pungent, robust, with nutty undertones and a more complex flavor than young cheddar.
- Tips: Remove from refrigerator and let stand at room temperature for about 30-60 minutes before serving.
What to serve Le Portage No. 3 with?
- Bread: Bread with crusty crust, baguette or whole-wheat bread.
- Crackers: Whole wheat, rye
- Fresh fruit: Apples, pears, blackberries
- Dried fruit: Apricots, figs, dates
- Sweet: Chutney or jam (figs, cranberries), raw wild honey
- Cold meats: Salami, capicola, coppa
- Nuts: Toasted almonds and hazelnuts, macadamia nuts
- Red wine, white wine: Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling
- Beer: English brown ale, Stout
- Non-alcoholic: Sparkling apple juice, citrus iced tea
Le Chenail (Aged Gouda)
With Le Chenailenjoy a superb aged gouda cheese. The semi-firm, creamy texture exudes a buttery taste with influences of hazelnut and caramel.
- Texture : Semi-firm, smooth and creamy
- Flavor: A buttery taste with intense notes of hazelnut and caramel
- Tips: Remove from refrigerator and let stand at room temperature for 30-60 minutes before serving.
What to accompany Le Chenail with?
- Bread: Pumpernickel, sourdough bread, ciabatta
- Crackers: Rye, sesame, multigrain
- Fresh fruit: apples, pears, grapes
- Dried fruit: apricots, cranberries, grapes
- Sweet: Chutney - apple, mango
- Charcuterie: Capicola, turkey or smoked chicken
- Nuts: Almonds, walnuts (walnut)
- Red wine, white wine: Beaujolais, Gewürztraminer
- Beer: Wheat beer, light lager
- Non-alcoholic: Orange juice, fruity herbal tea
Le Long-Sault (Camembert)
Le Long Sault is a Camembert-type cheese. Soft, creamy and tangy, it is renowned for its distinctive flavor and velvety texture. It offers a creamy, buttery taste with earthy nuances. Enjoy mushroom notes and a more pungent, robust flavor as it ages.
- Texture: Soft, creamy and melting at room temperature with a thin edible crust
- Flavor: Earthy, slightly mushroomy, and buttery with a touch of acidity.
- Tips: Remove from refrigerator and let stand at room temperature for about 30-60 minutes before serving.
What to serve Le Long-Sault with?
- Bread: Fresh bread - French baguette, cranberry nut bread
- Crackers: Rosemary, garlic, black pepper
- Fresh fruit: Strawberries, raspberries, figs, grapes
- Dried fruit: Apricots, figs
- Sweet: Fig jam, balsamic reduction, amber honey
- Charcuterie: Pâté, coppa, prosciutto
- Nuts: Toasted almonds, walnuts, pistachios
- Red and white wines: Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Champagne
- Beer: Saison, Triple Belge
- Non-alcoholic: Pear juice, non-alcoholic sparkling cider
L'Affluent (Mamirolle)
L'Affluent has a nutty, slightly sweet taste with a complex flavor profile. A velvety, ashy rind gives way to a creamy, salty body. Smokier and brighter in color than other bloomy rind cheeses, this uniquely flavorful cheese will impress your guests.
- Texture: Semi-hard with a smooth, dense texture
- Flavor: Hazelnut, slightly sweet, and often described as having a complex profile with a lingering taste
- Tips: Remove from the fridge and let stand at room temperature for around 30-60 minutes before serving.
What to serve L'Affluent with?
- Bread: Fresh bread with soft crust - French baguette, walnut and cranberry bread
- Crackers: Crostini, poppy seed
- Fresh fruit: Strawberries, blueberries, plums
- Dried fruit: Figs, apricots
- Sweet: Pear/cherry jam, fig jam
- Charcuterie: Prosciutto, capicola, chorizo
- Nuts: Toasted almonds, walnuts, pecans
- Red wine, white wine: Grenache, Viognier
- Beer: Wheat beer, white IPA
- Non-alcoholic: Green tea, fruity lemonade
Le Carillon (St. Paulin)
Le Carillon is a semi-soft, milky cheese with nutty notes and a buttery taste that blurs the lines between sweet and tangy. This artisanal cheese belongs to the family of French cheeses known as "Comté-type", characterized by their rich, nutty flavors and creamy textures.
- Texture: Semi-firm with a supple, creamy texture
- Flavor: Soft, creamy and slightly nutty
- Tips: Remove from the fridge and let stand at room temperature for around 60 minutes before serving.
What to serve Le Carillon with?
- Bread : Baguette, crusty country bread
- Crackers : Water, plain rice
- Fresh fruit: apples, pears, grapes
- Dried fruit: Cranberries, dates, grapes
- Sweet: Spiced honey, cherry/pear jam
- Charcuterie : Sliced roast beef, smoked turkey or chicken, capicola
- Nuts: Almonds, roasted walnuts
- Red wine, white wine : Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc
- Beer : Pilsner, Light amber ale
- Non-alcoholic : Pomegranate juice, ginger-infused iced tea
L'Explorateur (Blue)
L'Explorateur is known for its strong, tangy, acidic taste, with a hint of saltiness. Fromagerie des Trois Rapides' Bleu is bright and earthy, both crumbly and soft, with pockets and veins injecting its ivory-colored paste with a distinctly bold sharpness. An accessible blue for those venturing into the style.
- Texture: Creamy yet crumbly, with distinctive blue veins
- Flavor: Strong, tangy and sour, with a salty, slightly spicy taste
- Tips: Remove from refrigerator and let stand at room temperature for about 60-90 minutes before serving.
What to serve L'Explorateur with?
- Bread : Crisp baguette, pecan or walnut, sourdough bread
- Crackers: Walnuts, figs, cranberries
- Fresh fruit: Figs, pears, roasted apples
- Dried fruit: Cranberries, dates, plums
- Sweet: Raw wild honey, pear jam, red onion jam
- Charcuterie : Chorizo, coppa, prosciutto di Parma
- Nuts: Cashew nuts, walnuts, pecans
- Red wine, white wine : Port, Muscat
- Beer : Strong ale, Porter
- Non-alcoholic : Grape juice
Le Rassembleur (Raclette)
Le Rassembleur is the ideal cheese for raclette lovers. It has a nutty, slightly sweet taste and becomes more aromatic and creamy when melted, developing a rich, pleasant flavor. One of the unique characteristics of Le Rassembleur cheese is its exceptional melting quality. It becomes wonderfully melting and smooth when heated, making it ideal for traditional dishes such as raclette and fondue.
- Texture: Semi-firm, smooth and melting to obtain a melt-in-the-mouth consistency.
- Flavor: Hazelnut, slightly sweet, and becomes more savory when melted, offering a rich, creamy taste
- Tips: Remove from refrigerator and let stand at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes before serving.
What to serve Le Rassembleur with?
- Bread : Rustic bread, Rye
- Crackers: Buttered, Wholemeal
- Fresh fruit: cherry, fig, pear, apple
- Dried fruit: cherries, cranberries, figs
- Sweet: Red currant jelly, cranberry sauce, pear jam
- Charcuterie : Dry salami, chorizo, smoked turkey breast
- Nuts: Walnut
- Red wine, white wine : Pinot Noir, Riesling
- Beer : Pilsner, Dry cider
- Non-alcoholic : Mint-infused lemonade, ginger beer
Le Navigateur (Gruyère)
Le Navigateur is a Gruyère-type cheese with a smooth, complex profile. It offers a rich, nutty taste with slightly sweet and fruity nuances. It is excellent for melting and is a key ingredient in dishes such as fondue, quiches and gratins.
- Texture: Hard, dense and slightly crumbly with occasional small cavities (holes).
- Flavor: Rich, nutty, and slightly sweet with a hint of fruitiness and a smooth finish
- Tips: Remove from refrigerator and let stand at room temperature for about 30-60 minutes before serving.
What to serve Le Navigateur with?
- Bread : Crisp baguette, whole-wheat bread
- Crackers: Herbs, Whole wheat
- Fresh fruit: Apricots, cherries, apples
- Dried fruit: Apples, cranberries, figs
- Sweet: Maple syrup, red onion jam, quince jelly
- Charcuterie : Ham, salami, prosciutto
- Nuts: Chocolate-covered almonds, chestnuts
- Red wine, white wine : Syrah, Gewürztraminer
- Beer : Amber lager, Maibock
- Non-alcoholic : Pomegranate and cranberry fizz
Delicious with Fromagerie des Trois Rapides. You'll find them exclusively in your favorite branch of La Boite à Grains.