Meet 16 Indian artisan cheesemakers and their delicious products (2023)

Store-bought processed cheese is a thing of the past, we realized as we slowly discovered the wonders of fried camembert, salted ricotta, herb-infused chèvre, and many other artisan cheeses. These delicious specialty cheeses are still a niche reserved for a sophisticated palette, and while they have historically been extremely expensive in India, that is no longer the case.

We found 15 local cheesemakers right here in India who (bless their cheesy souls) blend fine ingredients and fresh milk to create beautiful products that are not only delicious but also more affordable. Keep scrolling for a look at 15 of the worlds of Indian cheesemakers, and try not to drool too much while doing so. If any of them are off somewhere else, we highly recommend stopping and picking up a few pieces of what they have for the road.

“To be honest, when people started stealing people I trained and putting them into commercial processed cheese making, I was a little pissed off. I realized that rat racing and volume games just aren't my thing. So I figured I was going to embark on something that others couldn't emulate, and I started making boutique cheeses." -Suhrab Chinoy.

Founded in 1976 by Aga, Bhathena and Chinoy with 14 cows, this 27 hectare farm has grown tremendously since then and is now run by Sohrab Chinoy and his family. With high quality being their only goal, ABC Farms offer a wide range of over 70 different cheeses, a selection unrivaled by any other artisan cheese maker in India. Health finds unparalleled flavor in every organic slice of boutique cheese, made from fresh milk with fine farm ingredients. With local chefs who swear by their delicious cheeses, you know quality is what you get. In addition to cheese production, ABC Farms is a large organic farming company that grows interesting crops like black rice and Aztec corn.

Where to find:Visit ABC Farm stores in Pune or Goa to enjoy their wide selection. Dorabjee's in Pune also offers its boutique cheese.

HG recommends:Their salty ricotta spread on fresh, flaky toast makes a delicious snack.

“Our idea of ​​making cheese is to use local products, we don't try to be gourmets, we don't pretend to be in Switzerland. It is a sustainable farm and our cheese is a product of it.”-Mansoor, Acres Wild Farm.

This 22 hectare cheese farm in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu is a self-sustaining farm that grows all their own ingredients organically, fresh and wholesome. Acres Wild's goal is to create an organic and holistic lifestyle while producing a range of delicious natural rind cheeses. Each independent flavor is a beautiful creation of fresh ingredients, sculpted into delightful shapes and textures during the perfect ripening period. Acres Wild has 10 different hard cheeses and for those who want a milder option they also make a range of dairy cheeses. Feta, ricotta and mozzarella are just a few of their wide selection.

Where to find:In Coonoor, their delicious cheeses are available at Baker's Junction, Tulsi Mall, and at their own farm. If you fancy eating these delicious cheeses in Ooty, head to the quaint Green Shop or the more commercial Shivani Stores.

HG recommends:You can't go wrong with halloumi, with its layered texture and distinctive salty texture.

“I've always been an absolute foodie and all the cookbooks I used to read had these beautiful cheeses that were so expensive and not easy to find in India and that inspired me to try making these cheeses here . I researched ingredients, bought them abroad, experimented with recipes and eventually founded Casa Del Cheese. -Dhvani Desai.

Launched by former business journalist Dhvani Desai, this Mumbai-based cheese-making company aims to make delicious gourmet flavors accessible in India. Influenced by the flavors of European cheeses, Casa Del Cheese uses the best ingredients to produce exotic cheeses in the best hygienic conditions. All of their cheeses are free from preservatives, chemicals, or emulsifiers, and each different texture will delight your taste buds. And what makes Dhvani's cheeses stand out is that they're all completely organic and, as she tells us, nobody makes feta Greek like her. Organic cheese, Greek feta cheese, Gouda mustard, creamy and flavorful snow cake? We were sold by home delivery.

Where to find:From Monday to Friday you can have these delicious cheeses delivered to your home anywhere in Mumbai.

HG recommends:You won't want to miss Casa Del Cheese's personal invention - the snow cake, a deliciously creamy cream cheese very similar to chèvre. If that's not your cup of cheese, give it the most authentic Greek feta around.

"On our farm you don't just feel like a guest, you feel like a friend." -Zinnoberfarmen.

As well as being a beautiful bed and breakfast, Cinnabar Farms produces freshly made artisanal cheeses inspired by European styles and flavors. This Kodaikanal-based company was founded by K. Balakrishnan and his wife, who learned the art of cheese-making from experts on the West Coast of the United States, specializing in the hard Italian cheese, Cinnamano. And if those lovely cheeses aren't inviting enough, their beautiful leafy farm features an inn where you can learn the art of cheese-making and bread-making.

Where to find:Get out of your concrete jungle and get some fresh air at this beautiful farmhouse in Kodaikanal, and grab some cheese along the way.

HG recommends:Creamy Cinnableu Blue Cheese leaves you wanting more and more and just a little bit more please.

“I started out with the intention of making good quality artisanal cheeses for myself and my family and now I do it full time. I hope that in the future I can make an artisanal cheese that is truly Indian. We are one of the largest milk producers in the world, we should have our own cheese! Except paneer of course. -Mausam Jotwani.

Locally sourced ingredients of the highest quality are blended into delicious artisanal cheeses inspired by European flavors, created by Eleftheria Cheese. As with most edibles, the key ingredient used by these breeders makes all the difference as they source milk from the finest organic farms. Started by Mausam Jotwani, this company created small batches of niche flavors and this dream was inspired when Mausam traveled to Germany and experienced the world of cheese beyond the regularly processed Amul variety. As Mausam tells us, Eleftheria is different because they only make fresh cow's milk cheese and are inspired by French, Greek and Italian styles.

Where to find:Whether you're craving light feta cheese or rich mozzarella, Eleftheria has them delivered to your door Monday through Friday, and they'll be available in online gourmet stores and other outlets soon.

HG recommends:The cream cheese spread Fromage blanc is so fresh and smooth that it feels like butter on the tongue.

“It takes a special kind of person to make cheese; because cheese is made from passion, craftsmanship and immense hard work.” -Flanders dairy products.

Based in Delhi, Flanders is a quality cheese making company influenced by the art of European cheese making. On a dairy farm that produces fresh cow's milk, proven methods are used to give each delicious product specific flavors and textures. Founded by Sunil Bhu, this natural and artisanal cheese maker aims to bring European flavors to India.

where to find: His signature shop on Lodhi Road in Delhi, The Cheese Ball is your one stop shop for these creative cheeses.

HG recommends:The classic, rich Gouda cheese from Flanders is enriched with different flavors such as oregano, cumin and black pepper. We also highly recommend the red peppers, it's a treat for your senses.

“It started more than 10 years ago in Goa. I wanted to bring European cheeses to India so I made my own cheese and it worked really well. And then I decided to start a company and it happened! make cheese!"Barbara Schwarzfischer.

Owned by Barbara, this Goan based artisan cheese maker initially only made fresh Swiss cheeses and soon expanded their repertoire to include aged cheeses as the mild climate of the Goan coast is conducive to their production. What was originally a holiday in Goa some 10 years ago has grown into permanent residence and a successful business venture. When she first tried Indian cheeses, she told us, she realized that Indian cheesemakers lack experience and aren't as good as delicious European cheeses. And, well, she wanted to change that. She now creates eight different types of delicious cheeses such as Camembert, Mutschli, Blue Shimmel and Feta, garnished with aromas of nuts, olives, green pepper and various other herbs.

Where to find:Magsons in Panaji, Lawande and Newton's in Candolim, Ajay in Mapusa, Oxford and Orchard in Anjuna - these are some of the supermarkets in North Goa that house Happy Cow Cheese's delicious collection.

HG recommends:Indulge in the wonderful flavors of creamy Tomme cheese infused with fresh red pepper spices.

"All the goodness of the Himalayas is in the taste of our cheese."- Himalayan cheese.

This Kashmir-based company was founded by Dutch entrepreneur Chris Zandee. With fresh mountain milk, delicious delights made from gouda, cheddar, mozzarella, kalari and the like are the premium creations of Himalayan Artisan Cheese. Slight flavors caress your taste buds with every bite of their artisan cheese, made with fresh ingredients and infused with flavors like pepper, cumin, fenugreek, black pepper, walnut, mustard, garlic and basil and so on.

Where to find:Fresh and delicious Kashmiri produce is delivered to most Indian pin codes at home by Himalayan Cheese.

HG recommends:Try kalari (the Gujjar name for the local cheese), also known as 'chappati milk', best enjoyed by dipping in a coriander paste or garlic chutney.

“Quality milk to make quality cheese, not quantity. That's what we're aiming for. -Hari Shankar.

Based in Batlagundu, Tamil Nadu, this cheese maker focuses on making cheese that is both nutritionally beneficial and incredibly tasty. Infused with pepper, basil, pepper, garlic and the like, each creation is dipped in an array of fresh ingredients. The health benefits are kept alive through the use of special production techniques and the absence of preservatives. The milk produced on their own farms is used to create these boutique-style French-inspired cheeses, a tradition that began 47 years ago.

Where to find:Visitbig basket onlineStores to buy Kodai Dairy Cheese.

HG recommends:Salty blue cheese has a tender texture and incredibly good flavor. Designed to delight your taste buds, best enjoyed with crunchy crackers.

"Our approach preserves the authentic texture and taste of the farm's traditional cheese and ensures the natural balance of vitamins, proteins and fats that give the cheese its unique properties."The farm.

Combining Indian, Dutch and French techniques, this artisanal cheese factory in Pondicherry produces almost 10 different types of gourmet cheeses. In compliance with the highest hygiene standards, each product is free from artificial preservatives, flavorings or colorings. And La Ferme even offers on-site tours, so you can watch these delicious cheeses being made right before your eyes. So take the offer and try the farm's own cheeses: Lofabu, Jeera, Swiss, Cheddar, Blue d'Auroville, Gruyere, Gorgonzola and many, many other varieties.

Where to find:Visit the local supermarkets in Auroville and Pondicherry to choose from a wide range of La Ferme cheeses.

HG recommends:The spicy grated Parmesan is delicious sprinkled over a fresh salad.

“Local, natural, traditional and artisanal. We are French cheesemakers making cheese in India using Indian products and ingredients.”- max.

Tucked away in the countryside between Auroville and Pondicherry, Mango Hill Cheese is owned by a French family who want to bring the charm of French culture to India with bread, wine and cheese. What began three years ago as production for own consumption quickly developed into a successful family business. With fresh milk from local farmers and fine ingredients from their own cultivation, they produce wonderfully rich cheeses. Their wide range includes soft borsalino, creamy blue cheese, sweet colby and so on.

Where to find:Gourmet shops in urban cities across India stock French-inspired Mango Hill Cheese products, which you can shop at the Mango Hill Hotel in Pondicherry.

HG recommends:Cumin Gouda sprinkled with crunchy, flavorful seeds gives you the perfect smooth, tangy flavor that perfectly balances the texture of the cheese.

"I went to college and got my masters in New York, and I used to go to Murry's Cheese and volunteer there too. When I went to a cheese training camp, I realized that's what makes me the happiest. Everyone was exhausted after trying 60 different flavors in just three days, but I could go on! And I knew that's what I wanted to do." -Mansi.

From fresh homemade Chèvre and Labneh to aged Camembert and Gruyere, The Cheese Collective, launched by Mansi Jasani in 2013, offers a wide range of deliciously flavored artisanal cheeses suitable for any occasion, from a lavish party to to a corporate event or even for a quaint dinner for two. With multiple ingredients brought together to complement wonderful flavors, each creation is a unique culinary experience in every bite, gooey, floral, smooth or blue-veined. In addition to the production of cheese from their own production and cheese from other manufacturers, The Cheese Collective (TCC) also offers cheese training courses and workshops. In short, they are all cheese.

Where to find:Order from TCC and get your tasty cheese from Breach Candy in Mumbai. And until the end of the year you can visit them in their cheese factory in Lonavala.

HG recommends:Treat yourself to fresh, herb-enriched chèvre, best spread on a crunchy, equally fresh baguette.

“Our idea is pure food, our cheeses are preservative-free and we only use natural ingredients. French soft cheeses are our speciality. We hope to grow in the future to offer all of India across different institutions, hotels and restaurants and even expand our offering.”-Prateeksh Mehra.

Gooey, deliciously flavorful exotic artisan cheese with an intoxicating aroma wafting from a basement in Dahisar might sound bizarre, but The Spotted Cow Fromagerie makes it happen. While most Mumbai basement kids flood the room with drum kits and amps, brothers Prateeksh and Agnay Mehra are breaking with the basement band stereotype and embracing a niche hobby. They started out making delicious craft beers and more recently moved into the delicious realm of making exotic cheeses. Imagine a temperature-controlled cellar on the outskirts of town, filled with notes imprinted on various artisanal cheeses, crammed with big vats of milk and even bigger fridges – that's the dream the Mehra duo are living.

Where to find:Online gourmet shop Foodesto as well as the Food Hall in Palladium stock their amazing soft cheeses. And if you live in Mumbai, you can even have the selection delivered to your home.

HG recommends:Roasted camembert pairs perfectly with a cold beer, while the delicate brie with cherries and walnuts is a monsoon must-have.

“It started in 2012 just experimenting with baking at first. So we started a Facebook page, it's grown by word of mouth and, well, it's a full-fledged business now."Shruti.

We've enjoyed a whole list of 13 artisan cheesemakers with their beautifully crafted selections, and now it's time to salute a company that has managed to take cheese innovation to a whole new level. While regular sweet cheesecakes are plentiful in Mumbai, Cheesecake Republic also bakes cheesecakes — but with a twist. From the salty and tangy notes of mustard and cheddar to the delicious basil and parmesan pesto, this home bakery's delicious cheesecakes combine the delicious flavors of a variety of rich cheeses with diverse ingredients to create one-of-a-kind treats. For die-hard cheese lovers, they even have a Four Formaggi cheesecake. Click your heels, say cheese four times, and you're in bakery heaven.

Where to find:Visit their home bakery in Goregaon East or order on their Facebook page to have savory cheesecakes delivered to your home anywhere in Mumbai.

HG recommends:Call out the culinary experimenter in you and indulge in a Wasabi Cheesecake.

“We are based on being a local, artisanal, fresh and organic cheese and we don't want to lose our identity. For this reason, as we expand, we will seek partnerships with local cheesemakers with access to grass-fed cows, as we do not wish to ship cheese from Chennai.Namrata Sundaresan

Named after the German word for cheese, Käse is a cheesemaker that brings you delicious cheese with a side of social empowerment. The idea of ​​this company by Namrata Sundaresan, after she completed a cheese making course at Acres Wild Cheese Farm in Conoor, focuses on making fresh, affordable, healthy and clean cheese. Käse' employs people with disabilities, Sundaresan's business partner, Anuradha Krishnamoorthy, is the founder of CAN DO, a BPO that trains people with disabilities in various professions. The dairy is based on the concept of clean eating, using only cow's milk from local grass-fed farmers in its production. Cheese now offers 20 types of cheese, from creamy Gouda and soft cottage cheese to mint halloumi and smoked mozzarella. In addition to making cheese, cheese also makes delicious sauces, condiments, salads, and breads.

Where to find:You can order the cheese online via the website or sign up for the monthly cheese club.

HG recommends:The 'Ode to Chennai', a delicious cheese covered with Malaga podi, is the best seller and put it on the map.

„Each block of cheese is individually made from pure cow's milk using our own hygienic Swati Pant milk in a natural farm environment.” -Caroselle-Molkerei

One of the oldest cheese manufacturing companies in India, Caroselle Dairy Products Pvt. GmbH. is an artisanal cheese farm in Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu. Founded in 1991 by engineer-turned-cheesemaker Mukund Naidu and New Zealander David Hogg, Caroselle Dairy primarily supplies hotels and restaurants in the South with European-style artisanal cheeses. Using traditional European methods and locally sourced microbial vegetarian rennet, Caroselle's artisanal cheeses are made to be hygienic, clean and wholesome. The farm uses milk from its own cows and ages its cheese in specialized European-style cellars. Caroselle Dairy Products is one of the first artisanal cheese innovators in India and continues to be at the forefront of the Indian cheese world.

Where to find:Caroselle cheese can currently be purchased at farmers markets and events across Tamil Nadu and will soon be available to order online.

HG recommends: Veg Parmesan Cheese is delicious, low in fat and unlike most commercial types of Parmesan, it contains no artificial additives.