Cowbelle

This week, we're featuring a VERY special organic raw milk cow's cheese called "Cowbelle."

It's special for many reasons: 1. It's made with certified organic cow's milk. 2. The milk was not heated during the cheesemaking process, allowing it to maintain all of its naturally occuring nutrients and essential enzymes. 3. It's been aging since last winter. 4. Cowbelle was handmade by our favorite GOAT farmer, Sam Byler of River View Dairy in Emlenton, Pennsylvania.

"Cowbelle" was born of necessity. Last winter, the region of Central Western Pennsylvania in which Sam's farm is located was hit with some serious winter weather. Sam's neighbors are organic dairy farmers who are part of a multi-farm co-op that ships milk from each farm to a single processing facility - but severe winter weather made the transport of this batch of milk impossible. Without proper milk processing facilities on their own farmstead, and gallons upon gallons of raw organic cow's milk at stake, these farmers turned to Sam.

Similar in style to River View Dairy's raw goat's milk cheese, "Meadowbelle," "Cowbelle" is a semi-hard cheese with a natural rind. It has a rich and creamy texture with a slightly tangy aftertaste. "Cowbelle" can be sliced thinly or crumbled for on a cheese board but is also a nice melter.