Holy Goat!
East of Castlemaine, across acres of rolling granite plains, there lives a very special herd of goats. This free range herd produces a certified milk which is crafted into french style chevre. Owners Carla Meurs and Ann-Marie Monda create a variety of delicious cheeses, each with a distinctive style and quality. Recently, Hannah and Toby where lucky enough to visit this special farm. Hannah has compiled this report to share her experience with us.
Hello passionate foodies,
Once again my love of food has paid off; recently I had the kind offer along with Toby the Manager of our Prahran store, to go along and meet the ladies from Holy Goat cheese farm. As it is my passion to find out where the food I eat comes from, I jumped at the chance.
Well, as we drove through the gates of the farm I new I would love it here, the rolling granite hills of Sutter Grange and the smell of fresh air relaxes you instantly. We were met by Carla and Ann Marie as if we had know them for years, we proceeded to this enchanted wooden house for tea on the veranda, there was a small group of 10 so it felt very homely. After tea we started our tour of the farm. First we met the kids who were 9 weeks old and very mischievous. And then on to the adolescence which were 1 years old, as we walked and talked trying to take in the view and all the information Carla and Ann Marie where giving us, the goats happily followed us, occasionally eating our clothes and finding it fun to try to push us over. It was very apparent that they were part of Ann Marie and Carla’s family almost like having fields full of dogs!
Carla told us about all the tree planting they are doing and their difficulties due to the depleted soil and lack of rain. It is a hard life to raise animals on land that gives you nothing, but they are so passionate about the philosophy and they love their goats so much they keep high spirits. It inspired Toby and I, to see the lengths they will go to, to help their goats. I was particularly happy to see their use of homeopathic remedies and ointments to help with joint and hoof problems. Each animal is assessed as an individual and treated with love. The whole feeding process is a work in progress, they soak the barley for 5 days so the goats can digest it better (just as we do with our food) they also soak seaweed, and incorporate this with flax seed meal, cod liver oil and an array of coppers and other essential minerals that their land does not give them anymore. It is clear these animals are taken care of and are given great food and lead a happy life.
The ladies on the Holy Goat farm have got a good balance in their lives. They work hard, but love what they are doing. They are getting to live out their dreams and goals on the farm, and bring their fantastic cheese products to market for us all to enjoy.
This really comes across when you taste their products, each one has so much love in it and has been created with respect given to the land and to the animals, just as food should be created. It makes for an amazing range of delicious goats cheese.
On a health side goats milk is very similar to human milk, so many people find it much easier to digest than cow's milk. Goat's milk is a very good source of calcium and a good source of protein, phosphorous, riboflavin (vitamin B2) and potassium. Read more about goats milk on "the world's healthiest foods website".
The cheeses they produce at Holy Goat are amazing in taste and texture. Each of us has a favourite; mine is the veloute for the fact you can take the top of and dip any type of food in (we even tried strawberries!). Toby’s favourite is the la luna, a type of chevre which Holy Goat is the first to introduce to Australia. It is made with a type of safe mould that grows in lots of different directions, so that eventually when they meet it rises up like a small volcano. This gives a beautiful rippled affect to the cheese and a great taste. All their cheese is from the goat to the shop within a couple of weeks. These cheeses are all classified as fresh cheeses, which don't need long to ripen (when compared to the cows cheese like brie which take several months). This freshness adds beneficial bacteria to our diets, and contributes to the excellent fresh taste.
Please feel free to ask Toby or myself about the Holy Goat range, and I strongly recommend trying this product, it certainly is wonderful!
Hannah White
Ripe Albert Park store Manager
If you'd like to read more about each of the Holy Goat cheeses (with tasting notes and serving suggestions,) please click here to read more.