What is pasteurised cheese and when do you eat it?

What happens during pasteurisation?

During pasteurisation, milk is briefly heated to a temperature that kills harmful bacteria, such as Listeria. This takes place before the milk is processed into cheese. The process is designed so that it has virtually no effect on the taste and quality of the milk, whilst significantly reducing the risk of harmful bacteria.

Pasteurised versus raw milk: the difference

Raw-milk cheese, also known as ‘cheese au lait cru’, is made from milk that has not undergone this heat treatment. Raw milk cheese may contain more natural bacteria and subtle flavour nuances, but it also carries a greater risk of harmful bacteria. This is particularly relevant for pregnant women and people with a weakened immune system.

How can you tell from the packaging?

It is not always immediately obvious whether a cheese is made from pasteurised milk, but with a few checks you can be sure:

• Read the label: does it say ‘raw milk’ or ‘au lait cru’ on the packaging? If so, the cheese is unpasteurised.
• For foreign cheeses, also look out for other languages: ‘raw milk’ (English), ‘lait cru’ (French) and ‘latte crudo’ (Italian) mean the same as ‘au lait cru’.
• At the cheese shop or at a market: where cheeses are sold unpackaged, it’s wise to ask whether the cheese has been pasteurised.
• Good news for fans of Henri Willig cheeses: these are all made from pasteurised milk.

Who should pay particular attention to this?

• During pregnancy: it is advisable to eat only pasteurised cheeses, unless a cheese has been thoroughly heated.
• If you have a weakened immune system: for example, the elderly or people with certain medical conditions.
• For general consumption: for the average consumer, both pasteurised and some raw-milk cheeses are safe, provided they are carefully produced and stored.

Pasteurised Henri Willig cheeses

At Henri Willig, we use only pasteurised milk in the production of our cheeses. Whether you’re looking for a cheese to eat on bread, for a snack platter or for a culinary dish: with our cheeses, you’re always choosing pasteurised quality.