Have you had the chance to visit our cheese counter at the Cowfé? At the counter, you can sample as many Fair Oaks Farms cheeses as you please! The cheese counter attendants are there to answer your questions and help you select your new favorite cheese. This week we have an exclusive interview with our cheese counter manager, Kim! (Keep in mind, Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and who doesn’t love cheese?!)
What is the most popular cheese purchased at the cheese counter?
Kim: Sweet Swiss is the most popular purchased cheese.
What cheese do people sample the most?
Kim: The three top kinds of cheese that are sampled are Sweet Swiss, Batterkase, Aged Gouda.
What is the most popular gift collection purchased at the cheese counter?
Kim: This year the box that sold the most in the Cowfé was the Heartland.
Have you tried all of the cheeses?
Kim: Yes, when you train in cheese you get to try all of the cheeses to help you with learning the descriptions.
What is your favorite cheese?
Kim: My favorite cheese is our 9-Year Cheddar, it has the most aged crystallization and a citric after-flavor.
Are visitors allowed to create their own collection with a branded hat box?
Kim: Most definitely, our hat boxes are $10, and you can put anything you would like in them.
What are the most frequently asked questions at the cheese counter?
Kim: The most frequently asked question is, what cheese are you known for here at Fair Oaks?
Approximately how many people sample cheese per day?
Kim: We sample to about 250 people on a slow day!
How can visitors improve their sampling experience?
Kim: Try all different kinds of cheese — you never know what you will like!
What is the spiciest cheese we have?
Kim: Our spiciest cheese is Havarti Habanero, it has a little kick right at the end.
What is the mildest cheese we have?
Kim: The mildest has to be our Butterkase, it’s a Danish cheese that pairs well with apples and grapes.
What is the smokiest cheese we have?
Kim: Our Smoked Gouda is our smokiest, it’s been smoked in a smokehouse with hickory smoke. It actually won first place at the World Dairy Expo in 2017!
How does the taste of the cheddars change from year to year?
Kim: Each year our cheddar is aged it gets more age crystallization and a citric after flavor.
Are all of the cheeses made from Fair Oaks Farms milk?
Kim: Yes, all of our cheeses are made with our products, Fair Oaks Farms milk and cream.
Where are the cheeses made?
Kim: Our Fair oaks cheese is made at one of our off-site facilities in Verona, Wisconsin.
Our Cowfé is currently open 8 am to 4 pm CST, stop by anytime to sample your new favorite cheese! For 24-hour access to purchase our cheese, check out our online store!