Melkbus149 Truffle
- Producer
- Uniekaas with De Producent
- Country
- Netherlands
- Region
- Gouda
- Size
- 13.5 ins diameter, 4ins high
- Weight
- 18 lbs
- Website
- www.uniekaas.com
- Milk
- Cow
- Classification
- Firm
- Rennet
- Animal
- Rind
- Plasticoat
The Melkbus line of cheeses represent a collaboration between the Dutch cheesemaking company Uniekaas and a number of small family dairy farms located outside the city of Gouda in the Netherlands.
Translated to English, the name 'Melkbus' means 'Milk Can,’ and these were used in earlier times to transport fresh milk directly from the farms to the creamery for cheese making. Each farm was given an identifying number which was stamped on top of the can. This allowed the creamery to identify where the milk came from as well as ensuring that the empty cans were returned to the correct farm for cleaning and re-use.
By way of an “homage” to this system, cheeses with the Melkbus name are made on single family farms and distinguished by the addition of a number exclusively used by that farm. Recipes and methods used, adhere closely to the traditions of Dutch farmhouse cheese production and the cheeses spend the first few weeks of the aging process maturing on the farms where they are made.
Thereafter, they are transferred to “De Producent” - a 98 year old aging facility located in the center of the city of Gouda. It’s here the cheese is aged in a natural environment on wooden boards until ready for sale.
For production of Melkbus 149 Truffle, the cheesemaker uses the same base recipe as for traditional “Boerenkaas” or raw milk Farmer Cheese. However, after the curd is formed and just prior to the pressing and shaping of the cheese, shavings of Italian Black Truffles are generously sprinkled throughout the curd.
Wheels are transferred to the maturing facility where they’re aged for ten weeks prior to release for sale.
Tasting Notes
The texture of Melkbus 149 Truffle is semi-soft and slightly pliant. Flavors of cream, walnuts and earth balance the aromatic notes of truffle.
