Unwrap the perfect cheese pairings with Kāpiti

By MiNDFOOD

kāpiti cheese platter
From the decadently gooey Rarama Washed Rind to the ‘king’ of blues, Kikorangi Triple Cream Blue, Kāpiti’s selection of award-winning cheeses will tick all your boxes.

It’s the season for entertaining, and there’s nothing that draws in a crowd quite like a tantalising cheeseboard. When it comes to selecting the finest fromage, no-one does it better than Kāpiti, the home of New Zealand’s most awarded cheeses. From mild and creamy to full-bodied flavour, unwrap the perfect cheese pairings with Kāpiti this season.

World-class craft

A homegrown success story, the team at Kāpiti has perfected centuries of cheese-making techniques, using a natural, handmade method that’s completely free from preservatives and stabilisers, unlike some cheeses that come from other parts of the world. Kāpiti Master Cheesemaker, Cathy Lang, recently named the NZ Champion Cheese Maker for 2022, says each cheese recipe is designed to give maximum flavour, texture and appearance – especially on a cheeseboard. “We have created a range of cheeses that should suit everyone’s palates, starting with our decadent soft whites, yeasty-earthy washed rinds, then moving to mild, buttery rich semi-softs like Havarti and Gouda. We also make flavoured and spreadable, creamy fresh cheeses, and a great range of blue cheeses from mild and creamy to salty and sharp.”

As a self-taught cheesemaker who started out almost two decades ago, Lang says she’s proud to be recognised for her work, and to pass on her skills to the Kāpiti team. “It is the dream job for someone who is as obsessed with cheese as I am.”

On the platter

Kikorangi Triple Cream Blue

Considered the ‘king’ of blues, the Kikorangi Triple Cream Blue has won multiple golds at the NZ Champions of Cheese Awards. With a smooth, golden curd and rich, buttery texture, this delicious cheese is marbled with dense, blue veins. Pair the rich flavour with pear and honey for an unbeatable sweet and salty flavour explosion.

Rarama Washed Rind

A decadently creamy cheese, the Rarama Washed Rind is soft and earthy with a milder flavour. This cheese gets better with age, and is at its peak just before its ‘best before’ date as it will be perfectly gooey and creamy. It pairs beautifully with the sweet and tart zing of fresh pomegranate or quince paste.

Pakari Aged Cheddar

Rich and mature, the Pakari Aged Cheddar is a hard cheese that is aged for up to two years. This careful process results in a sharp, tangy texture with a crumbly body. It pairs wonderfully with fruit cake.

Smart Tips for the perfect pairing

  • A variety of cheese flavours, textures and shapes create the perfect cheeseboard. Start with your cheeses and build out from there.
  • White cheeses, like the Rarama Washed Rind, bries and camemberts, get even more gooey as they mature. Serve at room temperature for perfect ooze and flavour.
  • New Zealand cheeses tend to be creamier and richer than some European cheeses as our milk comes from pasture-fed cows.

 

To discover more delicious Kāpiti cheeses for your Christmas entertaining, visit tastekapiti.co.nz

 

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