There are many people from around the world who have been completely and utterly seduced by the allure of cheese. Chat to any fanatic and they will be the first to attest that it is quite simply the culinary glue that holds life together. Whether creamy Brie from France or sharp Cheddar from Britain, international cheese always finds a place on our shopping lists. However, did you know that some of the world’s best and innovative cheeses are being produced right here at home under our very noses?
Enter the Kasselshoop farm and cheese factory near the quaint seaside village of Stilbaai. This is a family-run enterprise that has a legacy spanning generations of dairy farmers and cheesemakers. Using Jersey milk, award-winning Kasselshoop has become renowned for some of the most innovative, flavoured and seasoned cheeses in the world. The good news is that their range is available exclusively – and conveniently – at your nearest Checkers.
Here are 4 indisputable reasons why you should put Kasselshoop cheese on your shopping list!
1. It’s locally handcrafted
Under the guidance of the Kasselman family, Kasselshoop makes some of the most delicious white and yellow handcrafted cheeses in the country. Produced in the heart of “fynbos country”, these cheeses are made from rich and creamy milk from Jersey cows that have been bred by the family for over four generations. To top it all off, the entire team – from farmhand to cheesemonger – is employed from local communities.
2. You can choose a flavour
While Kasselshoop does make a delicious 3-month matured Cheddar and mouth-watering Gouda, they are renowned for using incredibly interesting flavour profiles to infuse their cheese with extra oomph. You can explore legendary variants like the pickled onion or nettle-infused Cheddars, as well as yellow Gouda with chilli and even white Cheddar with olives.
3. It’s award winning
The Kasselshoop white Cheddar with nettle has won acclaim from all over the world as a cheese master’s favourite. While many people view nettle as a stay-away weed plant, it’s absolutely delicious when mixed with white Cheddar and left to mature for 6–8 weeks. You can enjoy it with a platter or spread, as well as use it in creamed spinach with garlic for the best possible flavour profile.
4. You can whip up amazing recipes
There are some truly South African, mouth-watering dishes you can serve using Kasselshoop flavoured cheese to add that extra vivacity to the seasoning. For example, these vetkoeke with peppadew jam or this molten cheese mix with chutney dippers are both truly elevated by the use of the yellow Cheddar with pickled onion.
From local farms to enterprises on another continent, Checkers has over 400 cheeses from around the world to choose from. If you’d like to know more about how to enjoy Kasselshoop or even what ingredients pair best with your favourite cheese, click here .