Friday, 19 May 2023 08:55

Sheep, goat milk cheeses win supreme awards

Written by  Staff Reporters
Goat Milk cheese from Cartwheel Creamery won two trophies. Goat Milk cheese from Cartwheel Creamery won two trophies.

Cheeses made from sheep and goat milk featured in the 2023 Champion of Cheese awards.

Manawatu-based Cartwheel Creamery took home two trophies: Puhoi Valley Champion of Champions (Boutique) for its Cartwheel Creamery Opiki Ma; and CHR Hansen Champion Soft-Ripened Cheese, also for Cartwheel Creamery, Opiki Ma.

Made with goat milk, Opiki Ma is a soft, white mould cheese - traditionally called a camembert-style - with a hint of mushroom flavours and a melting texture with lingering flavour.

According to Cartwheel Creamery website, the goat milk comes from Fraser Farm in Opiki, which has a cut and carry system for 700 lively Saanen goats who are housed indoors.

It says the milk is pasteurised using a gentle batch process to ensure the maximum goodness of the raw milk is retained. Only cheese cultures, rennet and salt are added to the milk to produce young cheeses that naturally mature to develop a complex flavour profile that varies with seasons.

Family-owned Waikato cheese company, Meyer received two trophies: dish Champion Sheep Milk Cheese for its Meyer Cheese, Sheep Milk Gouda; and New World Champion of Champions (mid-sized) for its Meyer Cheese, Fenugreek.

Meyer has been a regular on the winner's podium over the past 20 years amassing dozens of trophies. It's the third year in a row they have won the Farmhouse Champion - an accolade which recognises the cheesemaker that makes its cheese on the same site as it milks its flock.

After the assessing the cheese the judging panel commented, "A lovely cheese, lovely appearance with seeds... Flavour is lovely, almost a honey flavour and sweet curry. Also lovely creamy balance."

More like this

How to handle CAE

Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE) is a disease of goats caused by a virus.

Focus on cheesemaking

Jill Walcroft says there was a certain attraction in running their own business and interacting with people as opposed to writing science papers.

Featured

Vaccinate against new lepto strain

A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.

TV series to combat food waste

Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.

National

Frontline biosecurity 'untouchable'

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard has reiterated that 'frontline' biosecurity services within Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will not be cut…

Machinery & Products

New name, new ideas

KGM New Zealand, is part of the London headquartered Inchcape Group, who increased its NZ presence in August 2023 with…

All-terrain fert spreading mode

Effluent specialists the Samson Group have developed a new double unloading system to help optimise uphill and downhill organic fertiliser…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Plant-based bubble bursts

OPINION: Talking about plant-based food: “Chicken-free chicken” start-up Sunfed has had its valuation slashed to zero by major investor Blackbird…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter