Wednesday 27 August 2008

Berrys Creek Tarwin Blue

Here's another cheese from the recent Specialist Cheesemakers Show - Berry's Creek Cheese are located in Poowong, here in Victoria and they specialise in farmhouse cheese made using the milk from their own herd of Jersey cows.

What struck us when tasting their range was the uniform creaminess of all the cheese - a direct result of using the richer flavour of Jersey milk.

Berrys Creek Tarwin Blue© by Haalo


Cheese Maker: Berry's Creek Cheese
Cheese Name: Tarwin Blue


Berrys Creek Tarwin Blue© by Haalo


There are three blue cheeses in the Berry Creek range and Tarwin Blue sits in the middle. It uses a combination of three moulds that gives it quite a depth of flavour with only a light veining present. The cheese itself is exceptionally creamy and almost sweet, the mound introducing that pleasant and almost Parmesan like, tang.

Berrys Creek Tarwin Blue© by Haalo

I think the combination of texture and light veining will probably make even the blue-phobic at least try it and more than likely, really enjoy it. For those that have already been seduced by the power of blue cheese, this is one blue you should keep an eye out for.

Originally published here

Tuesday 19 August 2008

Maleny Le Blochon

Our intention in attending Sunday's Melbourne Specialist Cheese Show was to seek out new cheese-makers and/or cheese and this next offering certainly qualifies.

Maleny Cheese is a family concern which sees a merging of Swiss cheese makers with third generation dairy farmers. Located in Maleny, Queensland they opened in 2004.

The cheese featured in this post, is a highly aromatic washed rind called Le Blochon.

maleny le blochon©  by Haalo


Cheese Maker: Maleny Cheese
Cheese Name: Le Blochon
Location: 1 Clifford St, Maleny, Queensland
Web: www.malenycheese.com.au


The first thing you notice when you approach this cheese is undoubtably its aroma. That "farm fresh" scent fills the air and can't help but put a smile on your face. Once you handle the cheese you'll then notice just how soft and malleable it feels


maleny le blochon©  by Haalo

Once unwrapped you can enjoy its wrinkled tan skin. Much like the Reblouchon on which it is based, it is made using the milk from the second milking.

maleny le blochon©  by Haalo


This photo shows the appearance when cut not long after removing it from the fridge - there are signs of its lovely unctuous character but it does need to come up to temperature

maleny le blochon©  by Haalo


The skin is well defined and certainly edible - there's no bitterness or overpowering ammonia scent that can be found in other cheese.

maleny le blochon©  by Haalo


Taste wise, it's a sweet and somewhat nutty flavoured cheese, combined with a wonderful creamy mouth feel. For washed rind novices, I urge you to look past its aroma - you will be more than rewarded by this excellent cheese.

Originally published here

Thursday 7 August 2008

Capra Cheese Velvet

Located at Mt Lookout here in Victoria, Capra Cheese produces traditional farmhouse styled cheese using certified organic milk from their own herd of goats.

capra cheese velvet© by Haalo

Cheese Maker: Capra Cheese
Cheese Name: Velvet
Location: 125 Tices Road, Mt Lookout

capra cheese velvet© by Haalo

Velvet is a barrel shaped, french-styled white mould goat cheese. As it matures it moves from nutty and earthy to sweet and rich in flavour.

capra cheese velvet© by Haalo


With this well matured version, the texture is indeed, like velvet. The cheese can be scooped out and spread with a consistency akin to cream cheese. The rind is quite thick and rather intense in flavour - I would advise that you don't eat the rind. An enjoyable cheese with that pleasant goat tang at the finish - the creamy, lush texture gives it great mouth feel.


Postscript:
Having received a very lovely email from the owners of Capra Cheese, I can now produce a list of outlets were you can find this cheese and others in the Capra Range.
Retail Outlets:
Armadale - Macro Wholefoods
Glen Waverly - Macro Wholefoods (The Glen Shopping Centre)
Kew - Leo's Supermarket
Richmond - Macro Wholefoods
Bairnsdale - David Lucke’s Market and Bairnsdale Wholefoods
Paynesville - Foodworks Paynesville
Warragul - Lean and Green

Farmers' Market:
1st Saturday of Month - East Gippsland Farmers' Market
2nd Saturday of Month - Metung Farmers' Market
2rd Sunday of Month - Whitehorse Farmers' Market
3rd Sunday of the Month - IInverloch Farmers' Market
4th Saturday of Month - Traralgon Farmers' Market
4th Sunday of Month - Rotary Farmers’ Produce Market, Bulleen
5th Saturday of Month - Taste of Gold Farmer’s Market, Holmesglen


Originally published here