Ur-Eiche (Old Oak) Swiss Cheese

"Ur-Eiche (Old Oak) is an exceptional Swiss cheese made by master cheesemaker, Christa Egli, at the village dairy, Chäsi Girenbad, about 20 miles southwest of Zürich.  

Christa sums up her cheese rather succinctly: “Smells like pineapple, tastes like cheese washed in oak and made by ladies.”  With notes of toasted brioche and macadamia nuts, yielding to notes of wood and pineapple toward the rind, this fascinating, slightly crumbly cheese is simply perfect served with fruit, nuts and some crusty bread. 

Egli is one of the few female master cheesemakers in Switzerland. Her team is made up of a number of enthusiastic and highly creative female cheesemakers as well.  They produce 14 cheeses, using the finest quality milk from 7 dairy farmers. To make Old Oak, they use fresh raw milk from the previous evening's milking, which rests overnight in a traditional copper kettle. In the morning, Christa meticulously skims the milk by hand to achieve the desired fat content. She also uses her own kettle whey cultures, carefully cultivated daily, and calf rennet crafted right in the Chäsi (the dairy). The cheese wheels are then bathed in oak wood extracts, imparting a distinctive character that sets Ur-Eiche apart.

To add a final touch of uniqueness, the cheese wheels proudly bear the imprint of oak leaves and the name "Ur-Eiche," loosely translating to 'old oak,' pressed into their rinds. Every step of the process reflects Christa Egli's and her team's unwavering passion for their craft and their unwavering attention to the smallest details.

The journey of Ur-Eiche doesn't end there. After careful production, the 14 lb. wheels are lovingly treated by hand with oak wood extract, infusing them with a delicate barrique flavor, reminiscent of fine barrique (wood cask) wine. This unconventional approach, placing wood on top of the cheese, yields remarkable results.

Following a patient 10-month aging process in the cheese cellar, the cheese embarks on its next stage at Gourmino in Langnau. Here, each cheese undergoes a final inspection by their affineurs. This meticulous care ensures that Ur-Eiche consistently delivers an exceptional experience, reflecting the dedication and passion of Christa Egli and her team.

• Made with fresh raw milk from happy cows left to graze naturally.

• We cut and wrap this cheese by hand from a 14 lb wheel.