Evansdale Cheese

Evansdale Cheese is a well-known artisan cheese brand from New Zealand, celebrated for its high-quality, handcrafted varieties.

Produced by a family-run cheesery in Dunedin, Evansdale Cheese has been delighting cheese lovers for decades with its commitment to traditional methods and rich, flavorful offerings.

From soft, creamy bries to robust blues and aged cheddars, Evansdale Cheese is a staple for both casual cheese lovers and gourmet connoisseurs alike.

Key Characteristics

Evansdale Cheese is distinguished by its handmade nature and small-batch production, ensuring each wheel or block maintains the highest quality. The cheesery uses natural, locally sourced ingredients, with an emphasis on traditional, preservative-free production methods.

Some of its most famous varieties include the soft and buttery “Farmhouse Brie,” the rich and creamy “Tania,” and the piquant “Blue Brie.” Each cheese is carefully aged to enhance its natural flavors and texture.

History and Production

Founded in 1978, Evansdale Cheese is one of New Zealand’s pioneering artisan cheesemakers. Established by the Dennison family in a time when small-scale cheese production was nearly unheard of in the country, the company has played a crucial role in reviving and sustaining the craft of traditional cheesemaking in New Zealand.

The production process at Evansdale Cheese follows traditional European methods, where milk is sourced from local dairy farms and transformed into cheese using natural cultures and minimal processing.

Unlike mass-produced cheeses, Evansdale’s offerings are free from artificial stabilizers or preservatives, giving them a unique, rich taste that sets them apart in the market.

Flavor & Texture Profile

Each variety of Evansdale Cheese has its own distinct flavor and texture. The Farmhouse Brie, for instance, is characterized by a delicate, creamy interior with a bloomy rind that develops a subtle earthiness over time.

Their blue cheeses offer a tangy, sharp bite balanced by a creamy consistency, while hard cheeses like their aged cheddar are known for their nutty, slightly crumbly texture.

Across all varieties, Evansdale Cheese is known for its depth of flavor, often described as smooth, complex, and rich with a natural creaminess.

How to Enjoy

Evansdale Cheese can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, depending on the type:

Soft cheeses like their Brie and Camembert are best served at room temperature, paired with fresh fruits, nuts, and a crusty baguette.
Blue cheeses complement honey, walnuts, and dark rye bread, as well as rich red wines.
Hard and semi-hard varieties work well on cheese boards, in gourmet sandwiches, or melted over dishes like gratins and pasta.

Evansdale Cheese is also a fantastic addition to cooking, elevating everything from sauces to soufflés with its creamy, full-bodied flavors.

Cultural & Regional Significance

Evansdale Cheese is more than just a brand; it represents a revival of New Zealand’s artisan cheesemaking tradition. The Dennison family’s commitment to quality has helped pave the way for other small-scale cheesemakers in the country, contributing to New Zealand’s growing reputation as a producer of world-class dairy products.

Locally, Evansdale Cheese is a celebrated part of Otago’s food culture and is often featured at farmer’s markets, specialty stores, and fine-dining establishments across the country.

For cheese enthusiasts, Evansdale Cheese offers a taste of New Zealand’s rich dairy heritage, combining craftsmanship with natural, high-quality ingredients to create some of the finest cheeses available.