Who doesn’t love cheese? Whether you like to have a cheesy pizza or add it to your sandwich, pair it with your salad or enjoy a cheese board with your favourite wine, the versatile ingredient can be used in and with so many dishes. For a long time, we’ve usually stuck to processed cheese. But that has started to change over the past few years. The craft for cheesemaking is picking up in India, and people are developing a taste for freshly made cheese. To all the cheese-lovers out there, celebrate this National Cheese Day by ordering in from these homegrown artisanal cheese labels.
1. Eleftheria
The Mumbai-based creamery launched by Mausam Jotwani has been in business since 2014 and prides itself in making European-inspired cheese classics. While they serve beautiful hand-stretched Mozarella and a variety of flavoured Fromage Blancs, we are in love with their freshly made Burrata. It is made exactly like they do in Italy by handcrafting a delicate mozzarella pouch and filling it up with a mixture of lush oozy cream and shreds of mozzarella. When you cut it open, expect sheer delight!
Price: INR 300 onwards
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2. The Cheese Collective
Launched by Manasi Jasani, The Cheese Collective features a variety of exquisitely flavoured cheese such as homemade chèvre (goat cheese), labneh, camembert and aged gruyere, which gets delivered to your doorstep in Mumbai. You can also choose to order customised cheese platters from the brand. And it doesn’t stop just there. Go beyond eating cheese and take part in The Cheese Collective’s cheese appreciation and pairing workshops.
Price: On request
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3. Himalayan Cheese
Based in Kashmir, Himalayan Cheese is a small enterprise run by Dutchman Chris Zandee. The artisanal label is best known for its cheese made from fresh Himalayan milk. While the Goudas and Cheddars are popular choices, it’s the brand’s Kalari, a traditional cheese made by Kashmir’s Gujjar community and also known as milk chappati, that’s highly recommended. It pairs well with cilantro paste or garlic chutney. The Himalayan Cheese delivers to various cities in the country, including Bengaluru, Pune, Mumbai and Delhi.
Price: INR 135 onwards
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4. Spotted Cow Fromagerie
Conceptualised by brothers Agnay and Prateeksh Mehra, the duo started crafting cheese in the basement of their Dahisar (Mumbai) apartment. Unexpecting, yet so cool, right? The Mumbai-based creamery makes 100% vegetarian and preservative-free cheese in small batches, aged with utmost care. While you’ll find the regular Italian and French varieties, the founders are always exploring new flavours. For instance, they serve a dessert cheese called caramelised hazelnut log. You’ll also find an Indian version of brie and camembert named Bombrie and Camembay, respectively, inspired by the city it’s made in. And bonus points go to the label for generously putting out their recipe on their website. So if you want to try your hand at making artisanal cheese, you know where to head. The brand delivers across Mumbai and through select stores in other cities.
Price: INR 223 onwards
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5. Cremeitalia
Take your pick from freshly-made, delectable Italian varieties such as Burrata, Natural Cream Cheese, Bocconcini and Mascarpone from Cremeitalia. They’re free from external chemicals, preservatives, flavours, and colouring, making them consistently fresh, healthy, and tasteful. The brand delivers across Mumbai, Pune, Gujarat, New Delhi, Jaipur, Kanpur, Lucknow and Goa.
Price: INR 225 onwards
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6. Käse
Derived from the German word meaning cheese, Chennai-based Käse was established by trained cheesemaker Namrata Sundaresan and social entrepreneur Anuradha Krishnamoorthy. Laying its foundation on clean eating, the label ensures its cheese is made from grass-fed cow milk from local farms. It also employs differently-abled women for cheese production, thus giving back to the community. Available at affordable rates, Käse has a range of products: Fresh cheese like Halloumi, Fetta, Goat’s cheese, Ricotta, and more; Aged cheese like Gruyere, Camembert, Parmesan and different types of cheddar; Fratelli cheese which is a range of cheese made in collaboration with Fratelli wines for pairing it with the drink. Additionally, you can also get condiments like dips, salads and bread. So if you’re big on cheese and charcuterie boards, this brand is your one-stop-shop for a cheesy feast! They deliver across Chennai and select stores in various cities.
Price: INR 320 onwards
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