This is a firm, unripened stringy cheese made with pasteurized milk that is available in individually wrapped sticks—4, 8 or 16 per pack. Kids love to unwrap them, teenagers gulp them down, sporty types like to bring them to the gym, and parents always have a good supply at hand.

The cheese maker gives its cheeses humorous names with local flair. The Québec expression “fou raide” means “completely crazy.” The image of a “crazy” stick of firm cheese on the label provides a little wordplay with the name. While camping, on the road or in a lunch box, it’s amazing how they can really hit the spot, no matter how peckish you feel! The label reads Fou Raide! Un p’tit brin gourmand (“Fou Raide! A gourmet snack”).

Fou Raide! sticks are available from the cheese maker, at convenience stores and at a variety of grocery stores in the Cantons-de-l’Est, Chaudière-Appalaches, Montérégie and Centre-du-Québec regions.