Farmhouse cheese is great, but what actually makes it real farmhouse cheese? I’m happy to explain, and it deserves a loving explanation, because farmhouse cheese is made with love. It’s artisanal, meaning it’s made by hand. Strict quality requirements apply, known as the Kwaliteitszorg Boerenkaas (KB) certification. Farmhouse cheese ripens naturally, and because it’s a natural product, the flavor can vary slightly depending on the weather and the seasons. Truly nature’s work.
Pasteurized? Thermized?
Farmhouse cheese is made from rich, unpasteurized milk. To put it simply, factory cheese is always pasteurized (a legal requirement), while farmhouse cheese is not pasteurized at all. There’s also a middle option called thermization. By briefly heating the milk before the full process begins, you extend its shelf life. Cheese made this way is sometimes called Farm Cheese. Both pasteurization and thermization can slightly alter the flavor, and neither is a natural process. That’s what makes farmhouse cheese so special: it’s made from raw, fresh milk and prepared the traditional way.
Farmhouse cheese and pregnancy
Pregnant women are strongly advised not to eat unpasteurized cheese, due to bacteria that can cause infection, and that’s a risk you really don’t want to take. So farmhouse cheese is off the table, but don’t worry, Farm Cheese is a great alternative. Farm Cheese is safer thanks to thermization, a brief heating process that eliminates harmful bacteria. Because thermization is far less likely to affect flavor than pasteurization, you can still enjoy that full, rich taste.
Cheese with a quality mark
In addition to the Kwaliteitszorg Boerenkaas (KB) certification, farmhouse cheese also carries the Guaranteed Traditional Specialty (GTS) quality mark. Farmhouse cheese qualifies for this mark because it’s prepared using traditional methods. Only approved farms are permitted to produce farmhouse cheese, and the natural ripening process takes place in dedicated cheese warehouses.
Fun fact: Hollandse Nieuwe (fresh Dutch herring) and basterdsuiker (soft brown sugar) also carry the GTS quality mark.
Our farmhouse cheeses
Curious about farmhouse cheese? We carry a wide range. Browse our farmhouse cheeses in the webshop and see what catches your eye.
For the true cheese lover, we have an even better idea: a real cheese subscription! Starting from just €9.95 per delivery, you can enjoy the finest farmhouse cheese, Gouda, and specialty cheeses all year long.
Discover our farmhouse cheeses and order artisanal cheese from Cheese In A Box.
