CHEESE BOX 50 –

JULY 23

Welcome to our Cheese box 50 – July 23! 

THE WONDERFUL MERCER

Some artisan cheesemakers in NZ are not known outside of their immediate region, selling at the farm gate or at the local farmers’ market. Others are well-known, or at least lots of people would claim they have at least heard of them.  That doesn’t mean that their cheeses are readily accessible of course.

Mercer make awesome cheeses – you can’t go wrong – but they also experiment like the best. Like others, their experimentation is part of the emergence of styles unique to Aotearoa. This month we feature a perfect example – what better way to express where the cheese comes from than infusing it with local herbs? We’re thrilled to bring this Horopito and Kawakawa Gouda to you to celebrate Matariki.

HOROPITO AND KAWAKAWA BUSH GOUDA – FROM MERCER

A surprising mashup of a creamy Gouda with the pepperiness of the Horopito and the herbiness of the Kawakawa. Hopefully we’ll see more and more cheeses like this. Try it with some fruit paste and a Shiraz, a Scotch Ale or a cherry juice.

Region: Waikato. Type of milk: cow.

BURRATA – FROM VIAVIO

Burrata is a ridiculously more-ish cheese, a ball of Stracciatella wrapped in a skin of mozzarella. It’s a very rich milky and creamy delight. Try it in a salad or on fresh crusty bread. Match it with a chardonnay or a Pils, or an artisan lemonade.

Region: Nelson. Type of milk: cow.

DOUCLE CREAM CAMEMBERT – FROM WAIMATA CHEESE

When is a delicious Camembert even more delicious? When more cream is added – one apt description of this example is ‘decadent’. It goes in the best sandwiches, or just smeared on some bread, and it goes well with a Pinot Gris, a Saison, or something like a fizzy rhubarb drink.

Region: Gisborne. Type of milk: cow.

BLUE – FROM HOHEPA

A very well-balanced blue, creamy and full-flavoured, but not too sharp or too strong for some. Use a generous portion on top of a good steak or just eat it all by itself. Hunt out a good port, an Extra Special Bitter, or a quality cola and enjoy!

Region: Hawkes Bay. Type of milk: cow.