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When you think of a Monastery, chances are that cheese is not the first thing that comes to mind. But, in Saint-Benoît-du-Lac, Quebec, there is the Abbaye de Saint-Benoît-du-Lac, also referred to as the Abbey, which is the home to a cheese factory used by the Monks that live there.
What Is A Monastery?
A monastery is a religious community or residence, typically inhabited by monks or nuns, who dedicate their lives to spiritual pursuits, prayer, meditation, and communal living according to the precepts of their faith. Monasteries can be found in various religious traditions, including Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam.
Abbaye de Saint-Benoît-du-Lac
The Abbey is a strong community of about thirty monks who live according to the Rule of Saint Benedict. They share the same ideal, and everyone is invited to put their qualities and gifts at the service of others to build a community according to the Gospel.
Their daily lives follow peace, prayer, and silence, which consist of services, reading, rest, manual, and intellectual work.
The History of the Abbey
Saint-Benoît-du-Lac Monastery, originally founded by Saint-Wandrille Abbey in Normandy, faced challenges in the early 20th century, leading the monks to seek refuge in Canada. Despite initial setbacks, the community thrived and evolved into an autonomous priory.
Architect Dom Paul Bellot’s vision expanded the monastery, and under the leadership of figures like Dom Georges Mercure, it grew both in size and significance. As Saint-Benoît-du-Lac marks its centenary, the community stands strong over 30 monks.
The Architecture of The Abbey
The Abbey is stunning, and one of the prettiest parts is both the inside and outside design. You can walk the halls during your visit while enjoying the beautiful Mosaics and glass windows.
The Cheese At The Abbey
As you go downstairs to the gift shop, you are in for a real treat: Cheese! The monks make the cheese in their cheese factory, which has grown over the years due to the popularity of their products.
The cheese shop sources 100% from local dairy farms. It is then pasteurized for the production of cheese. Almost all cheeses are lactose-free, gluten-free, and nut-free. Only their blue cheeses and cheese curds contain lactose.
The Production Of Cheese
When I say the cheese is delicious, I mean it! You can taste the local ingredients and love that is put into every block. Here is their process!
Pasteurization
They take fresh milk from the farm without adding any modified milk substances and pasteurize it when making cheese. This destroys any pathogenic bacteria that could be found in it. This technique involves heating the milk to 72°C for 15 seconds.
Curdling
The pasteurized milk is transferred to a large cylindrical tank, the curd, and they add the different ferments and the rennet. The latter moves the milk from the liquid phase to the solid phase.
When the milk has reached the solid phase, huge knives cut everything into small pieces, which they then let go down to the bottom of the basin to remove the whey containing the lactose.
Lactose is a sugar that must not remain in the composition of Swiss-type cheeses in order to avoid post-manufacturing fermentation.
Pre-pressing
The curd is then transferred to a large basin, called a pre-pressing table, where it is pressed to agglomerate the mass.
Molding
When everything is pressed, the cheese is cut into cubes of around three kilos, which are then placed in a mold.
Pressing
The molds containing the cheese cubes are then put under pressure for around two hours at different pressure levels.
Salting
Once the wheels are well pressed, they place them in brine for 24 hours. Brine consists of water saturated with salt. It has three functions in cheese making:
Maturation in roasting rooms
It is now time to dry the wheels. Subsequently, all cheeses, except blue cheese, are vacuum-packed for maturation in the roasting room. The maturation time varies from 15 days to 6 months, depending on the cheese.
Conditioning of pointed grinding wheels
When maturation is complete, the wheels are cut into wedges and packaged for retail sale.
Types Of Cheese At The Abbey
You can buy so many types of cheese, and some have even won awards! Here are a few of my favorites.
Benedictine Blue
Benedictine Blue is a delicious blue cheese that won 1st prize at the Royal Agriculture Winter Fair 2012 and at the British Empire Cheese Show 2012 and 2018, Caseus Selection 2015 – Quebec Cheese Competition. Its slightly creamy texture resembles the flavor of the “Roqueforti” mushroom.
The Smoked Blue
The Smoked Blue is made from specially selected blue cheeses in their cellars. Natural wood smoking adds a slightly woody taste that goes very well with the flavor of the “Roqueforti” mushroom.
This cheese won the Bronze Medal at the World Cheese Awards 2016-17 and 2nd prize at the British Empire Cheese Show 2018
Mont Saint-Benoît
The Mont Saint-Benoît is a firm, very mild cheese with a nutty flavor. It is similar to Swiss-type cheese with large “eyes.” It took 2nd prize at the The Royal Agriculture Winter Fair 2012
Le Moutier
This firm cheese is made from goat’s milk. This Swiss-type cheese has a delicate, slightly fruity, and sweet flavor. It took 1st prize in both the Royal Agriculture Winter Fair 2012 and the British Empire Cheese Show 2012
The Gift Shop
The cheese will be located in the gift shop, which is down the stairs as soon as you enter the Monastery.
The shop also has a variety of local products, ciders, jams, and many more items that the Monks make. They also feature products from other local places as well. I bought Maple & Oyster Mushroom Jelly, which will pair amazingly with the cheese.
Is It Free To Visit The Abbey?
Yes, it is free to visit the abbey. You can walk in and take your self-guided tour in the main areas during business hours. It is important to stay quiet in the quiet zones and respect the monastery during your visit.
You can walk prayer paths, which are nearly 2 km of walking trails. The trails encourage meditation and prayer.
Guided Tours
You can also take a guided tour during the summer. Guided tours begin on Monday, June 24, 2024, and end on Friday, June 30 August, 2024.
Orchards
When in season, you can even visit their Orchards, which are perfect for Apple Picking! They have over 3,500 apple trees so that you will be in for a treat.
Where Is The Abbey?
The Abbey is located outside of Magog, in Saint-Benoît-du-Lac. It is a quick 15-minute drive from Downtown Magog, making it an easy day trip.
I recommend making an entire weekend out of your trip to The Abbey. You can go Ice Skating in Magog before soaking your worries away at Spa Bolton! It’s the perfect getaway.
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