Cheese Box 31 | NZ Artisan Cheese Box

CHEESE BOX 31 –

JANUARY 22

Cheese Box January 2022

Welcome to our Cheese box 31 – January 22 21!

Well, an old history anyway. Did you know the first cheese was made in Aotearoa in 1814 when the Rev Samuel Marsden introduced cows to help the missionaries with meat, milk, butter and of course cheese? Amazingly, the first exports of cheese were to Australia in 1846. The first dairy factory in NZ was built on Otago Peninsula in 1871.

Today, we’re lucky to be living during a blossoming of wonderful artisan cheese in Aotearoa. Yippee!

HALLOUMI – FROM CRAGGY RANGE SHEEP DAIRY

A classic halloumi style, this cheese is kneaded, has a tang and is salty with a bouncy texture. Cooking caramelises the sugars, leading to a sweet onion taste and the famous squeak when you bite into it. Goes well with summer fruit like melons, and a glass of Riesling, or for contrast, a Belgian Tripel.

Region: Hawkes Bay. Type of milk: sheep.

AKITIO ROBIOLINO – FROM KINGSMEADE CHEESE

A cheese for summer if there ever was one. This Italian style fresh cheese is so good you might shed a quiet tear of appreciation. Its subtle citrus flavour and creamy texture certainly cries out for a slice from a fresh baguette with a hint of fruit paste. Look for a pinot blanc or a light IPA.

Region: Wairarapa. Type of milk: cow.

GOAT MILK GOUDA – FROM MEYER CHEESE

Melt some of this on some boiled Jersey Bennies and your life won’t be the same. This goat milk gouda is creamy, sweet and goes perfectly in the salad too, or we own up to, well, just eating it. Raid your wine cellar for a Syrah, or the fridge for a saison.

Region: Waikato. Type of milk: goat.

NANNY BLUE – FROM CARTWHEEL CREAMERY

We thought we’d have some fun by following the Cartwheel Creamery Blue Rhapsody we featured in our Christmas box with this goat cheese version. Its texture is glorious, and even though it’s definitely funky, it seems to appeal to those who thought they didn’t like goat cheese. It’s summer, so go for a prosecco or find a wheat beer with body (the Germans make those well).

Region: Manawatu. Type of milk: goat.