affinage

Pronunciation: [ah-fee-NAHZH]

The French term for the process of finishing (ripening) cheese to bring it to a perfect point of maturity. See also affiné.

From The Food Lover's Companion, Fourth edition by Sharon Tyler Herbst and Ron Herbst. Copyright © 2007, 2001, 1995, 1990 by Barron's Educational Series, Inc.