5 Amazing Things You Probably Don’t Know About Raw Milk Cheese

Cheese can be a delicious snack on its own, or as part of a meal. It is a wonderful source of both protein and calcium, which are essential for good health. With a greater focus on clean eating and a healthy diet, more people are reaching for raw milk cheese in their local grocery store or buying raw cheddar cheese online.

Raw milk products have grown in popularity in recent years, but there are still many people who do not know much about them.

Photo taken by: Josh and Bri of @wildwelllls on Instagram.

Here are five facts about raw cheddar that you might not have known:

1. Raw milk cheese is naturally off-white or light yellow in color.

The cheese that you see at the store that is bright orange or yellow in color is made that way through dyes or other additives. It is not naturally that color. Raw cheddar cheese changes hues throughout the seasons based on the grass that cows are grazing on during the year. Eating more grass means that butterfat turns yellower because it has a higher Omega-3 CLA content. RAW FARM does not add any additives to alter the color of its natural raw cheeses.

2. It is rich with natural flavors, beneficial bacteria, bioavailable nutrients, and unaltered enzymes.

The pasteurization process that many kinds of cheese go through requires heating the milk up to at least 161°F. As a result, this destroys both healthy and unhealthy bacteria and denatures proteins and enzymes. The milk used to produce RAW FARM's Raw Cheddar is never heated above 102°F, which means that it maintains its full array of bioavailable vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and beneficial bacteria that support nutrition and gut health.

3. Raw cheddar by RAW FARM is made with all-natural ingredients.

The robust flavors that you love most about raw milk cheese are the result of natural ingredients and processes. There are no synthetic hormones, additives, dyes, toxic chemicals, or GMOs. RAW FARM’s cheese is made from raw milk from grass-grazed cows, kosher salt, vegetable rennet, and cultures, all of which are sourced in the United States.

In addition, truly raw milk cheese does not contain cellulose or natamycin, which are often added to packaged cheese as anti-clumping agents and preservatives. Raw milk cheddar cheese naturally experiences some clumping, but it crumbles easily upon use and is not covered in any white powdery residue.

4. Raw cheese may be easier to digest.

Some individuals have difficulty digesting processed dairy products; therefore they tend to steer clear of cheese and other dairy products. However, this digestive issues may be caused by how the milk is processed, not the milk itself. Since raw milk contains all of the natural enzymes and beneficial bacteria without alteration or pasteurization, some people find it easier to digest than other cheeses. This makes raw milk cheese an even more attractive option.

5. Raw milk cheese is aged at least 60 days.

All of RAW FARM's Raw Cheddar Cheese is aged a minimum of 60 days, which complies with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements. This long aging process helps to reduce the risk of harmful bacteria and allows for a delicious flavor and smooth texture that many people love about raw milk cheese. Plus, RAW FARM’s cheese goes through a strict test-and-hold protocol to promote food safety and test for E. coli and other common bacteria.

Furthermore, raw milk cheese can be used just like other cheeses in all of your favorite recipes, charcuterie boards, and snacks. The more you learn about raw milk cheese, the more you’ll appreciate the careful manufacturing process and all that this cheese has to offer. RAW FARM is committed to producing truly raw, high-quality, artisan cheeses.