Chistou or Istara?

[LoriZig]

I hope this is the appropriate place to post this!

While trolling through the supermarket tonight, I was passing by the uninspired cheese section when I saw something new. The label said: Istara Chistou and that it was a sheep & cow's milk cheese.

It smelled wonderfully pungent and I brought it home for a wonderful dessert. The taste was rich, creamy and almost wine-like. Delicious.

But what did we eat? Is the cheese itself called "Chistou" or is it "Istara?" I don't ever want to lose touch with this cheese, but am not sure what to ask for at a frommagerie!

Help? Thank you!

[LoriZig]

Also- if there is a better place to post this, please let me know!

[Smithy]

I *think* Chistou is the brand and Istara is the type. I discovered Istara last year at my favorite local cheese shop when they were out of Manchego. They gave me a taste of Istara, saying it was similar although not the same. Since then I've spent precious time (and money) trying to decide, with no success, which I prefer. I like them both, very much.

The local good grocery store has been expanding its cheese selection. Although the cheeses aren't as good as at the good cheese shop, the place is more conveniently located. I've seen Chistou Istara there. For what it's worth, when I've tried it, I haven't found it up to snuff, and I've begun to wonder whether it's really Istara, or whether I've gotten the type wrong all this time.

Nonetheless, I think Istara is the type of cheese. If I'm wrong, then we'll both learn something!

[michael_g]

Using the scientific method (read: Google), it seems that "istara" is the type of cheese (see, for example, this cheese shop) and Chistou is the brand.

Sounds good, I'll have to try some. Have you tried it outside of a cheese plate?

[Cheese Guy]

This is a common mistake, however Istara is the company that makes Chistou. They also make P'tit Basque, Ossau-Iraty, and Kaikou.