TERROIR
The Ardeche department, alike all of the departments in France is absolutely teeming with wonderful locally grown and created produce. Perhaps one of the most famous terroir harvests are the sweet chestnuts, these are transformed into flour, purees, pickles, ‘crème’, liqueur and many other artisanal inventions. The trees also provide wood for heating and also flexible branches for basket weaving. This industry was very important in the Ardeche and dates back to 1000’s, however due to disease and partly the fall of the mining industry in the area, is now practiced a lot less than before.
Other great products include chesses (especially goats cheese in the Southern Ardeche), pork based charcuteries, beers, wines, spirits (eau de vie), mushrooms, Mediterranean fruits and vegetables and fruits found in the mountain and forest areas. The wildness of the northern parts and vast areas of forest of the department also mean that wild games (boar, deer and fowl) are hunted regularly in the autumn and winter months. The rivers and lakes home trout and some other comestible species.
Other great products include chesses (especially goats cheese in the Southern Ardeche), pork based charcuteries, beers, wines, spirits (eau de vie), mushrooms, Mediterranean fruits and vegetables and fruits found in the mountain and forest areas. The wildness of the northern parts and vast areas of forest of the department also mean that wild games (boar, deer and fowl) are hunted regularly in the autumn and winter months. The rivers and lakes home trout and some other comestible species.
