Fonterra takes home top cheese honours

Fonterra’s cheesemakers Kāpiti and NZMP have taken home three of the country’s top awards for cheese at the NZ Champion of Cheese Awards.

Blue cheese Kāpiti Kikorangi was the Champion Export Cheese trophy winner, while NZMP’s Strong Cheddar Cheese was the Champion Cheddar of the night. Kāpiti Kahurangi was the people’s favourite, winning the Champion Cheese Lover’s Choice Award for the fourth year running.

A team of 28 judges, led by Australian master Judge Russell Smith, assessed more than 2,000 kilograms of cheese on presentation, rind appearance, texture, aroma and flavour.

Lead cheese maker, Cathy Lang said it was fantastic for Kāpiti to be honoured with these awards. “We are really proud of our blues. People might not know that we have been growing our own strains of penicillium roqueforti (blue mould) to make our blue cheeses since 1951.

“It is both a science and an art, but what makes a great cheese is the milk that goes into it. Quality milk from grass-fed cows means that we can produce award winning cheese.”

Overall Fonterra won a combined total 27 medals and three Champion trophies.

Related content

Leave a reply

Dairy Industries International