House Of Castello Launches Small-Batch Artisan Cheeses

Basking Ridge, N.J. – The venerable House of Castello, long renowned for crafting award-winning cheeses, today launches three of the smallest batch artisan cheeses still made in Germany, with plans to make each cheese available in the United States.

The cheeses of the new Castello® Alps Selection, made with cow’s milk from tiny, picturesque mountain farms with less than 20 cows each, are made from original recipes handed down through generations. Each is crafted in the Allgau Region, one of the oldest areas of Germany, located in the southernmost region of Bavaria, bordering on the Alps Mountain range.

“When you bite into these cheeses, you won’t be able to miss the distinct taste of care and attention – from the cows grazing in the Alpine pastures, to the care each farmer takes with the milk, to the artistry of the cheesemaker,” said Adam Criscione, product manager, Arla Foods. “These cheeses are simply irresistible.”

The new Castello® Alps Selection includes:

• Bergkase: crafted from unpasteurized milk from cows grazing nearly 3,000 feet above sea level, the cheese’s firm texture and smooth consistency of features a slightly smoky aroma, like a fine smoked ham. Smeared with mountain herbs and spices during the ripening process, aged at least five months. Perfect with a loaf of freshly baked bread and full-bodied red wine.
• Hirten: made with pasteurized milk of the same Alpine cows, Hirten is aged at least seven months and develops a deep orange color. Its crumbly, dry texture features flavor crystals, lending to a slightly sweet caramel taste with hints of pine. Enjoy with figs and a favorite stout beer.
• Weissbier: this soft, smooth and buttery cheese is made from Alpine cow’s pasteurized milk and washed with Bavarian Weissbier from a local brewery two or three times per week. The result is a cheese that melts in the mouth with a hint of nutty sweetness. Serve with a favorite white wine and grilled vegetables.

The Alps Selection cheeses are the newest addition to the House of Castello line, founded in 1893 in Copenhagen. Only the best cheeses in the world are marketed under the famous brand, with Castello cheeses winning generations of awards, including numerous gold medals at international contests.

Each Castello Alps Selection cheese is crafted in approximately 15-pound wheels and is available for sale in retail size cuts. For more information about the Castello® Alps Selection, contact Criscione at 908-917-2790 or email AdamCriscione@arlafoods.com.

About Arla Foods Inc.

Arla Foods is a global dairy company and a co-operative owned by Danish, Swedish and German dairy farmers. It has production facilities in 13 countries with a total of more than 17,000 employees. Products in the U.S. are available under the well-known brands Arla Dofino®, Lurpak® and Castello®. Through its Closer to Nature™ concept, Arla Foods is committed to making products free from artificial colors and flavors and limits the use of additives. Arla Foods is the world’s largest producer of organic dairy products.

Source: Arla Foods Inc.