Marie Harel: Who was the inventor of Camembert cheese and how did she do it?
According to legend the then 30-year-old dairymaid was taught how to make the cheese from a priest who was fleeing the anti-clerical French Revolution
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Marie Harel was a cheese maker who, alongside Abbot Charles-Jean Bonvoust, is attributed with creating camembert cheese. Now, Ms Harel is being featured on the Google Doodle on what would have been her 256th birthday.
According to legend, Ms Harel, a then 30-year-old dairymaid from Vimoutiers, Normandy, was taught how to make the cheese by a priest, Mr Bonvoust, who was fleeing the anti-clerical French Revolution.
She apparently made some slight adaptations to the recipe, removing cream, making them in smaller wheels and also packaging the cheese in thin round wooden containers.
This container is partly the reason why the cheese became so popular, making it perfect to transport across the Atlantic.
It was given to French soldiers in their iron rations during World War I.
Ms Harel's work initiated a dynasty of entrepreneurial cheese makers, including her grandson Cyrille Paynel, who produced camembert on a large scale.
Another one of her decendents, Thomas Paynel, apparently met Napoleon III and offered him the cheese. Napoleon was so impressed with the taste he made Mr Paynel the official furnisher of camembert to the French emperor.
Ms Harel died aged 83 and a statue of her can be seen in her home town of Vimoutiers.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments