CHEESE BOX 61 –

May 24

Welcome to our Cheese box 61 – May 24! 

NZ Cheese Awards and Hōhepa

You may have seen the winners of the NZ Cheese Awards announced recently. It’s thrilling to see so many of our cheesemakers featured (and one of our very own Cheese Wheeler awarded in the Curd and Whey Amateur Cheesemaker category!). Hōhepa is a good example and especially so given their purpose. Hōhepa is a long-established centre that provides a safe space for folk with intellectual disabilities. Cheesemaking is one of the many productive activities they undertake.

Other winners this year include Annabelle Fine Cheese, Barrys Bay, Belle Chevre, Craggy Range, Jones Family Farm, Karikaas, Massimo’s, Mahoe, Meyer, Mt Eliza, and Zany Zeus. We are proud to have shared their cheese with you over the past months and years,

It’s important to know though that many artisan cheesemakers do not enter the competition for a variety of reasons. But all of our cheesemakers make awesome cheese, that’s why we look in every nook and cranny to find it and bring it to you.

DANBO – FROM HOHEPA

Danbo is a milder, Danish version of Emmental.  This 2024 Cheese Awards winner has a pleasant aroma and tastes slightly sweet and nutty. It looks great too.  Makes a perfect sandwich. Goes well with a cider, a pinot gris, an oaked chardonnay or chianti, a NZ amber or brown ale, and dry lemonade.

Region: Hawkes Bay. Type of milk: cow.

BOB – FROM MOOODY COW

A lactic set white rind cheese, which is delightfully creamy and mild. Lovely on some bread with a dry Riesling or a Sauvignon Blanc, a pale ale, or hunt down a white tea.

Region: Marlborough. Type of milk: cow.

WAIHI BLUE – FROM GERALDINE CHEESE

A classic, we love this cheese. You can crumble it over salads or vegetables or have it in thick slices in sandwiches, but – don’t tell anyone – we tend to eat it off our fingers. Match it with a bitter beer, a Riesling or a hot chocolate.

Region: Canterbury. Type of milk: cow.

SPICED ORANGE BUFFALO– FROM CLEVEDON BUFFALO

We welcomed Clevedon Buffalo Cheese to our Cheese Wheel family in May last year. The marinated cheese went down so well we thought we better share some more. Their Spiced Orange Marinated Buffalo is fabulous. Smear it on bread and crack open a Prosecco, larger or spritzer.

Region: Auckland. Type of milk: buffalo.