Ever wondered why summer milk differes from winter milk? Why copper vats are used? Or what high altitude grazing does to the milk? Below you’ll find some of the answers to these questions and more useful Swiss cheese insights. Follow us for more.
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Cow’s milk contains several proteins, one of which is beta-casein. There are two main types: A1 and A2.
Most modern dairy cows (especially Holstein-Friesians) produce A1 milk, which can release a peptide called BCM-7 during digestion. Some people find this causes mild digestive discomfort or bloating.
By contrast, A2 milk — from breeds like Brown Swiss, Simmental or Jersey cows — doesn’t produce BCM-7 and is often easier to digest.
High in the Swiss and French Alps, traditional cheese makers have always relied on local mountain breeds — Simmental, Brown Swiss, Fribourg, Tarine and Abondance cows — all of which produce milk that’s largely A2.
Add to that the magic of the cheese-making process: fermentation, bacterial cultures and long ageing. These steps naturally break down most of the casein proteins, including any traces of A1, making aged Alpine cheeses far gentler on the system than fresh milk.
Here are some of the best examples of naturally A2-leaning cheeses:
And if you prefer to avoid cow’s milk altogether, sheep and goat cheeses (like Pecorino or Valençay) are naturally 100% A2.
If you’re sensitive to milk but love cheese, Alpine varieties are a safe and delicious choice.
Their combination of A2 milk and long ageing means you can enjoy their flavour and nutrition with little to worry about.
As always, everyone’s tolerance is different — but few things are as reassuringly wholesome as a wedge of well-aged Gruyère.
We’ve let NotebookLM deep dive into our Alpine Express artisan cheese delivery service. What came out is a fascinating AI talk of what we think is pretty accurate of what we do. Just ignore that ‘next disptch’ date in June 2025. LOL. Here’s the episode:
Rolf Beeler once shared with us a guideline on whether you can eat the rind of a cheese: if the whole cheese fits comfortably in the palm of your hand, then you can eat the rind. If it does not, it is advisable to discard it. Of course, this is merely a rough guide; generally, the rinds of matured cheeses are not intended for consumption as they serve as a protective layer for the cheese and are not necessarily highly palatable. Nonetheless, there is no need to throw them away. Here are some suggestions on how you can utilise them:
Leftover rinds are brimming with flavour and can be employed in various culinary applications. Here are some creative ways to make use of them:
By using leftover rinds in these ways, you not only reduce waste but also significantly enhance the flavour of your dishes.
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our latest video, which takes you on a behind-the-scenes journey through the complete process of our Alpine Express online cheese shop. This captivating video offers an in-depth look at the meticulous care and attention to detail that goes into fulfilling each and every order.
The video begins by showcasing our team’s careful selection of high-quality cheeses from local alpine cheesemakers. You’ll witness the expert cutting and portioning of these delectable treats, ensuring the perfect size and shape for each customer’s order. The video then follows the team as they individually wrap and pack the cheese, using specialized materials to maintain freshness and prevent damage during shipping. Finally, you’ll see the packaged orders being quickly dispatched, with the Alpine Express team utilizing efficient logistics to get the fresh cheese to customers’ doorsteps in a timely manner. This video provides a unique opportunity to see the passion and dedication that goes into every aspect of our operation, from start to finish.
Production of the video was done by Bertrand from Mr. Atticus, © 2024 Alpine Express by The Red Cow
We have now defined our Christmas and January dispatch dates as per below:
December/January Dispatch Dates
Watch Tom Merkli explain the 2023 version of the popular Alpine Express Christmas Platters:
All cheese platters can be found on our dedicated Christmas cheese page.
Watch Tom Merkli explain the core cheeses included in this year’s popular Alpine Express Christmas Cheese box
We’ve always offered the option to slice our raclette cheese into ca. 4mm thick slices, ready for your melted cheese party. Now, however, we have improved the packaging further: starting from this week every order of sliced raclette cheese will be supplied with greaseproof paper layers in between each slice, making it even more convenient for you.
And – of course – we continue to offer you the option of upgrading the packaging to cheese paper as well.
See which 2 amazing soft cheeses Tom picked for this year’s Christmas Cheese Box. Orders are now available and packs come in 3 sizes, starting at $60 plus shipping.
