Just a few decades ago South Africans didn’t expect to find much more than basic cheddars and goudas in shops across the country, and having a slice of Brie with your glass of wine was about as sophisticated as it got for some people. However, in recent years the artisan cheese trend that is so popular in culinary circles around the world has also gained momentum in South Africa. Thank goodness for that! But what exactly is artisan cheese and why all the fuss?

What is artisan cheese?

Artisanal cheeses are produced by hand using methods of traditional craftsmanship. So the principle is going back to the origins and the art of cheesemaking, rather than the mass-produced, more industrialized production processes. Artisan cheeses are produced by hand and in small batches. Because of this, the cheeses are often more complex in taste and there is greater natural variation. Many are aged and ripened to achieve a specific look.

Farmstead cheeses also fall under this category, which are traditionally made with milk from the cheese producers’ own cows, sheep or goats. Speciality cheeses can be made from all types of milk and often include flavourings, such as herbs and spices. However, these cheeses need to be of limited production to qualify as speciality cheeses.

The history of cheesemaking

Historians say that cheesemaking is a craft that has been around for at least 7000 years. The common theory is that explorers from Asia brought cheese and cheesemaking techniques to the Romans, who helped to spread this culture throughout their empire, which is how the many cheese-loving nations in Europe gained this knowledge.

In modern times most cheese products are manufactured in larger factories all over the world, but more and more customers are looking for “authentic” cheeses of the past again. This nostalgic trend is a great opportunity for small-scale cheesemakers to focus on these sought-after cheese products, which are also seen as sophisticated, luxury foods for discerning consumers.

Trends in gourmet foods

The food industry also shows more consumers being interested in finer cheeses and wanting to try more unique flavours. Rather than being satisfied with the same fairly neutral-tasting, commercial cheeses all the time, chefs and foodies are craving something more. Beautifully aged blue cheeses with deep flavour notes; creamy goats’ cheeses wrapped in fragrant herbs; delicious nutty, crumbly and peppery varieties. The variety out there is anything but boring…

Much like tasting wine became a trend, many food lovers savour the delights of cheese pairings with wines and other foods and finding out what goes well together. Restaurants and home cooks insist on using more exciting cheese varieties in their cooking and also enjoy learning about flavours, textures, tips for cutting and storage and knowing that the products they are using come from an ethical source.

Cheesemaking in South Africa

In South Africa commercial cheese production has been around for over 100 years. Interestingly, during the apartheid years, most dairy farmers had to sell their milk to the government, which essentially only produced gouda, cheddar and mozzarella. Luckily, when South Africa became a democracy these restrictions fell away. Since then local cheesemakers have started producing varieties similar to European cheeses and expanding the range of locally-produced cheeses dramatically. Nowadays markets, delis, farm stalls and even some supermarkets are stocked with intriguing specialty goat’s and sheep’s milk cheeses on a par with those from countries like France, Denmark and Switzerland.

Especially here in the Western Cape artisan cheeses are in high demand, which is no surprise as we produce more than half of the cheese made in South Africa, making us the undisputed “South African cheese province”!

At the Mousetrap we are constantly adding more cheeses to our collection of tasty products and especially to our fantastic artisan cheese selection. Many well-known hotels, restaurants and wine farms order these special products from us, as well as private customers, who have a taste for adventure.

To learn more about our cheese offering have a look at the extended list on our products page.