CHEESE BOX 72 –

March 25

Welcome to our Cheese box 72 – March 25! 

KEVIN’S CHEESY TRIP

Toad of Toad Hall loved messing about in boats and Kevin of The Cheese Wheel loves messing about with cheese. One of the best things about bringing great cheese to the people is visiting our phenomenal cheesemakers up and down the country.  An overnighter in Akaroa isn’t complete without dropping in our NZ’s oldest cheesemaker, Barry’s Bay, at nearby… well, you guessed where. It’s exciting to see what they’ve been experimenting with, and their shop has lots of other foodie goodies too (how come foodie and goodie don’t rhyme?).
Amberley in North Canterbury punchers way above its weight with the remarkable Brewmoon craft brewery and a local French-style bakery, but it really scores when you visit the farmers’ market and catch up with the wonderful Andrea from Little Farm Goat Dairy.

BLUE – FROM MAHOE CHEESE

This Blue is an organic cheese balancing fruitiness and acidity but avoiding any sharpness. Persimmon season is nearly here and a slice will go perfectly with this. Match it with a Syrah, a brown ale or some hot chocolate.

Region: Northland. Type of milk: cow

PROVENCAL SOFT – FROM CRANKY GOAT

Made by NZ cheese maker Simon Lamb and his team, this is a lovely soft fresh cheese with a velvety texture and a clean creamy flavour with a slightly acidic lemony background note. It goes particularly well with sweet or savoury foods and a bubbles, clean pils, or light kombucha.

Region: Marlborough. Type of milk: goat

FENUGREEK GOUDA – FROM MEYER CHEESE

Cumin is the more common spice added to Gouda, but this fenugreek version made by Meyer, NZ cheese maker family from a Dutch origin, is also favoured by many. Match it with a gewürztraminer, a bock, or a light cola, and some almonds or dried fruits.

Region: Waikato. Type of milk: cow

SMOKED HAVARTI – FROM JONES FAMILY FARM

Havarti is an underrated cheese, but it’s very versatile and even better when it’s smoked. This sheep cheese goes well with apple juice, a sour ale, or a Merlot, and makes a great feature in salads

Region: Canterbury. Type of milk: sheep