Baby Swiss (Boggy Meadow)

Producer

Boggy Meadow Farm

Country

United States

Region

New Hampshire

Size

12 in length x 5 in width

Weight

5 lbs

Website

www.boggymeadowfarm.com

Milk

Cow

Treatment

Raw

Classification

Firm

Rennet

Vegetable

Rind

Natural

Style

Alpine-style

Baby Swiss is produced at Boggy Meadow Farm, located in a stunningly beautiful area on the banks of the Connecticut River in New Hampshire.

 There has been a farm on the site for centuries, and a dairy farm for as long as anyone can remember, but it is only in the last few years that cheese has been made there.?? Records show that Jonathan Mason, a retired United States Senator from Massachusetts, purchased Boggy Meadow Farm in 1822, and the 400 acre farm has been owned and operated by his descendants ever since.

Milk for production comes from the farm's own herd of Holstein and Brown Swiss cows.?? Smoked Baby Swiss is made once a week in the creamery, which is located in the converted 18th century barn and farmhouse across from the dairy parlor. “The interesting aspect of ‘Swiss’ cheese,” says owner Marcus Lovell-Smith, “ is that no salt is added to the curd—the only additives are the bacteria and the rennet, which makes the cheese a ‘pure’ derivation of the original raw milk.”

The cheese is made using a washed-curd technique; halfway through the process the curds are washed with fresh water to reduce the acidity. Lovell-Smith says that this step, along with the use of whole milk instead of skim milk in production, contributes to the cheese’s richness and creaminess. 

After, the cheese is aged until the cheese until its “eyes” form (the characteristic holes created by the propionic acid bacteria). 

Tasting Notes

Baby Swiss has a soft, smooth and springy texture, with upfront aromas of hay, grass and sweet cream. Flavor is mild and approachable, with a buttery start and a slightly sharp aftertaste.

Pairings

Pair it with a pilsner, a Pinot Blanc or with Boggy Meadow Farm’s own Switchel Cider Vodka.