a point / à point
French expression meaning in perfect ripening conditions.

acidity
What gives cheese a tangy or zesty flavor.

Affinage
French word denoting aging or ripening of cheeses.

Affineur
French for a skilled professional who ripens cheeses. Also called cheesemonger.

Annatto
Natural yellow to reddish-orange food colorant widely used in cheeses. Derived from seeds of the Annatto tree.

AOC
"Appellation d'origine contrôlée" or "Nomenclature of Controlled Origin" is a guarantee to the consumer of the geographical region the cheese is made in, the milk it is made of, the tradition of the cheese making and ripening. It applies to agricultural products such as cheese, butter and wines. They are accorded by INAO, the National Institute of Origin Nomenclature; there are 43 AOC cheese in France.

Artisan Cheese
Cheese handcrafted in small batches.

Au lait cru
French expression meaning made with raw milk.