Petit Livarot cheese is a washed rind cow's milk cheese that's been produced in the town of Livarot in Normandy, France, since the 16th century, and was awarded AOC status in 1975 - which means that to be called Livarot, it must be produced in a certain region, under certain protected and certified methods. Pungent and bold, with a classic orange rind and paste, thanks to washes with annatto, Livarot has a strong (stinky, if you will) aroma, but the cheese itself is mildly flavored, rich and savory, with a nutty and earthy taste. Creamy and smooth, this soft cow's milk cheese from Normandy becomes runnier and gooey as it ages. Nicknamed "the colonel" due to the "stripes" or raffia that are wrapped around it, Petit Livarot cheese is great as part of a cheese platter, but also great on it's own paired with fruit and nuts.