My First Cheese Making Experience!

So, a couple weeks ago, I had the great pleasure of visiting two farms in Lincoln, Nebraska. The experience that I had was like no other. I had the pleasure of helping Charuth Loth, of ShadowBrook Farm and Dutch Girl Creamery, and Krista Dittman, of Branched Oak Farm, sell cheese at the wonderful farmers markets in Lincoln. I also had the privilege of spending two days helping, or at least I hope I was, making Lancaster Duet as well as other wonderful cheeses that they produce.

Myself (Greg Ellis), Charuth Loth and Krista Dittman standing outside of the cheese room after a long morning of making cheese.


Charuth giving me a first hand look at their cheese cave. I was in cheese heaven!


Look at me! My first time making cheese. I really got the full "hands on" experience!



Ok, now I don't think there is anything better than this. I had the opportunity to see the whole cheese making process. Everything starts right here.

These women work very hard to make wonderful cheese that we at Pastoral love. Their belief in local, organic products really shines through in the cheeses that they make. I encourage anyone to check out what they are doing as well as try as many of their cheese that you can get your hands on. Most don't make it out of the Nebraska, but hopefully they soon will. Thank you Charuth and Krista for a great experience!

Greg Ellis

Events Future, Event Past

Last weekend we had the great pleasure of having Charuth and Krista at both of our locations. In addition to being great cheesemakers this ladies proved that when it's "Dance time" at the shop, they can most definitely hang.

There had some great experiences, and found out that a lot more of you are from Nebraska than we knew. Charuth's babysitter and neighbor came to the Lakeview shop by happenstance on Saturday. Krista and Charuth are great examples of how being passionate in your work can yield great results!

Charuth even left us a few goaty samples. This is the Tomme. It is a raw milk goat cheese aged for 4 months with a vegetable ash rind. Similar to a Garrotxa in flavor, but tastier because we know the maker.



This weekend we have a show at His Stuff on Friday, and Sunday we have Leslie Cooperband from Prairie Fruits Farm coming. On Saturday we are going to do a "cracking of the cheese" at our Loop store. Alison will be tackling the 80lb. wheel of Comte. Comte is one of France's greatest exports, and is a staff and customer favorite. There is a specific way to cut this cheese, and if you come by the shop on Saturday between 1-2pm, you'll learn all about it. You'll also get a chance to taste some "freshly cracked" Comte.

-Agela

Meet the Maker

What do you get when you add one plus one? You get ridiculously good cheese. This weekend come to our Loop store on Friday 4-6:30pm or our Lakeview store on Saturday from 1-4pm and meet the cheesemakers behind our favorite cheese from Nebraska, Lancaster Duet. Sold under the Farmstead First label this cheese is a collaboration of Charuth Loth from Dutch Girl Creamery and Krista Pittman of Branched Oak Farm.

Duet is not only in reference to these two friends coming together, but also to the milk blend of cow and goat that create this unique cheese that is similar to a Gouda, but with a bit more bite. Lancaster Duet is a farmstead cheese. What this means is that the animals are raised and milked on the same land where their milk is turned into cheese. Making cheese this way gives the cheesemaker an advantage. They know exactly how their animals are raised, what they're eating and how they're treated. They can control every aspect of their cheeesemaking. Not every cheesemaker is able to do this.

Come in this weekend, meet Krista and Charuth and find out for yourself why this cheese became an instant staff favorite!

As an added bonus Jan has promised to find us the perfect wine pairing for us to taste alongside the cheese. Tasting wine, eating cheese and speaking directly with the cheesemakers? This is a great weekend!

Krista and Charuth prove that being neighborly has it's rewards. It's yummy cheesy rewards.


Charuth loves goats. Goats love Charuth. Sometimes it's just that simple.


-Agela