Discovering the P’tit Jurassic
Recently, our Export Sales team hit the road to visit our partner producers in Switzerland, Germany and Austria. Among the highlights of this journey was a real favourite: the production of the P’tit Jurassic, a cheese launched at the end of 2024 that is already shaping up to be a future bestseller.
In the Bavarian foothills of the Alps, in the small village of Hopfen, stands a proud red brick building that is housing the Hopfen Dairy since over 100 years. There, master cheesemaker Alois Keck has been perfecting his craft for more than 30 years, continuing a family tradition passed down through five generations.
It’s in this historic setting – one of the oldest dairies in Germany – that the P’tit Jurassic is born: a hard cheese with a smooth, melting texture and a subtly spicy flavour.
The P’tit Jurassic is made exclusively from hay milk, a premium-quality milk from “Allgäu Braunvieh” cows. This hardy local breed is solely fed on fresh grass and locally grown hay. This respectful approach to farming and animal welfare gives the cheese its naturally delicate and distinctive flavour.
Here’s a look at the key steps in the production process:
- The milk is heated to 54°C (129°F).
- The curd is stirred and cut for about 7 minutes, with the texture assessed by observing the colour of the whey.
- Rennet is added 35 minutes after the starter cultures, once the pH level reaches 6.65. The dairy produces its own starter cultures from the previous day’s whey.
- The large wheels are pre-pressed, then cut into 28 smaller portions to form the P’tit Jurassic.
- Each wheel is immersed in a brine bath for 6 hours, before maturing for 3 to 4 months to develop its character and signature mildness.
Its small format makes it ideal for cheese counters and perfect for creating decorative rosettes that add a touch of elegance and indulgence to cheese platters.
At Fromi, it is standard practice for our teams to visit our producers to gain insight into their work, understanding their techniques and immersing ourselves in their day-to-day work. By building these close, trust-based partnerships, we can offer you authentic cheeses that are meaningful and tailored to your customers’ expectations.