The Sunshine Coast is the home to a magnificent range of cheeses. From your standard cheddars through to a fabulous artisan mozzarella, we pretty much have it covered in the world of cheeses. Buffalo milk for making mozzarella is not something that you would expect to find on the Sunshine Coast. I visited Mal and Margaret Thompson’s buffalo herd at their lush 100 acre Witta property just out of Maleny where I got to play with the rather cute buffalo calves which are quite friendly – in fact the whole herd are almost like pets, in contrast to their fearsome reputations. To farm buffalos, you need a special permit, so as tempted as I may have been to take home my new found buffalo friend, sadly, I could not.
My new little buffalo friend and I
The buffalo are farmed for both their milk and meat. Mal and Margaret have a regular supply of milk and volume is steadily increasing. The milk has a higher fat content than traditional milk which makes it rich and creamy and a preferred milk for local artisan producers who use the milk to create mozzarella, burrata, haloumi, and a delectable gelato and yoghurt by other Sunshine Coast producers eager to experiment with this heavenly milk. Next it is on to Trevor Hart’s Cedar Street Cheesery in Maleny, where you can see the buffalo milk being plied into his renowned fresh silken mozzarella. Mozzarella in the making is a wonderful process to watch. Once the rennet is added it sets into a curd, which after draining and cutting, upon the addition of hot water transforms into a wonderful luscious mozzarella that Trevor sells at the Eumundi and Noosa Farmers’ Markets. Trevor is a former jazz musician but now passionate producer of cheese and his specialist burrata are treats not to be missed when visiting the Sunshine Coast. For those lucky enough to eat freshly made mozzarella directly from the hands of the maker, it is a truly divine experience, it is warm and lush, the whey oozes out with every bite... magical, and yes, I was indeed lucky enough! Of course I equipped myself with some take home goodies, so that I had all I needed to complete my pizza… although, it’s almost too good for that. Enjoy…
Buffalo
To celebrate it’s 10th anniversary, the Noosa International Food and Wine Festival 2013 has pulled out all stops with a food, wine and lifestyle program to delight amateur cooks, serious foodies, lifestyle enthusiasts and families alike.
My calendar is already cleared in mid-May because I will be going to the annual Noosa International Food & Wine Festival.
Are they here yet? What time are they arriving? Where will they be signing books? Can we get a photo with them?