– 865 Description
The Old Witch, known as ‘Alte Hexe’ in Swiss-German, is the more matured version of the Red Witch, a delectable unpasteurized, raw cow’s milk cheese crafted from the freshest full cream milk available. This cheese is aged for a minimum of 9 months and it doesn’t have the red, paprika-rubbed rind that her younger sister gets added, however the extra 4 or so months add sharpness without forgoing the smoothness of the full cream milk.
The name of this cheese originates from the Swiss tradition of carnival, celebrated in late February, where people dress up in costumes, often depicting scary characters, to ward off the winter season. This Swiss version of carnival lent inspiration to the name of this remarkable cheese, adding a touch of enchantment to its heritage.
The milk used to create the Old Witch cheese is sourced daily from a network of 28 local farmers located within a 10km radius of the dairy. Only the finest hay and grass-fed milk are utilized in the production of this exceptional Swiss raw milk cheese. This careful sourcing ensures that each bite of the Old Witch delivers the essence of the lush Swiss countryside.
How we wrap your cheese
The freshness of your cheese is our priority. That’s why — unless stated otherwise in the product description — we pack all cheeses in vacuum-sealed bags to protect them during their journey. We know some customers prefer the traditional touch of cheese paper wrap, so we’re happy to offer this option for a small fee, as it takes extra care and time to prepare.
Unless noted differently, all cheeses will generally have a best-before date of at least 14 days, and vacuum-packed cheeses around 2 months. Remember, with cheese this date is simply a guide — it doesn’t necessarily mean the cheese will be of lesser quality afterwards. In fact, many softer varieties reach their most delicious ripeness when enjoyed close to, or even just beyond, their best-before date.
How the cheese gets to you
At Alpine Express, we send all our cheeses in eco-friendly, insulated cardboard boxes, carefully cushioned with recycled packing paper and kept chilled with food-grade gel ice packs. We use the fastest service available — most often Star Track Express — so your cheese arrives in peak condition. You can check estimated delivery times using Star Track’s estimated transit time tool, though we may occasionally select another trusted courier to ensure the quickest, most reliable service.
Unless otherwise noted, we ship cheese boxes each Monday, with an order cut-off of 8 pm (Sydney time) the night before. As soon as your order is on its way, you’ll receive a tracking number so you can follow your cheese’s journey from our door to yours.
Do you have any other questions? Check our FAQs for additional information or write to us via our contact form.
