One hardly needs formal training in something if the passion for it is innate. For example, cheesemaking. It is a difficult, time-consuming skill to master, yet, Mausam Narang, initially self-taught, ended up opening an artisanal cheese shop in Mumbai after she took her time getting to know the science of cheese, called Eleftheria.
Mausam Narang is the founder and Head Cheesemaker at Eleftheria Cheese, established in 2015. The expert cheesemaking at Eleftheria has been acknowledged and appreciated at the global level, the venture won for multiple products the prestigious World Cheese Awards held in Norway in 2023.
The bug for this craft was caught by the founder during her stays and travels in Europe. She was surrounded with regular consumers of cheese while studying in Germany and UK consecutively. Eventually, she gave in to the beauty, taste, and aesthetics of this food and started learning more about it on her own. Her personal favourite cheese is an extra mature Clothbound Cheddar. Along the years, however, Mausam has secured collaborations, extensively trained and made cheese with expert cheesemakers across the world.
Europe’s palate in India
With her team, Mausam is working to put India on the world cheese map, emphasising that “Great milk is what makes great cheeses”, hence the team consistently choosing quality over quantity. Eleftheria sources premium quality milk from family run farms across Maharashtra. The founder simultaneously champions the cause of women in the workplace, and boasts of a “large proud team of girls” at Eleftheria Cheese. Mausam and team have curated an impressive range of Brunost, Burrata, Mozzarella, Chèvre – Plain Goat Cheese, Halloumi et al. Out of these, the Medallion – Goat Milk Fetta cheese won a Super Gold, while the Konark – French Tomme-Style Cheese won a Gold at the WCA 2023, Norway. It is interesting to note that Eleftheria Cheese has created vegetarian versions of cheeses that typically use animal rennet.
Mausam’s venture also deals with premium butter, and cheese boards and accompaniments. In the cultured butters come together farm-fresh cream and locally sourced herbs and spices, like garlic, chives, truffle etc. Handcrafted wooden cheese-boards and cheese knife-sets are also available on the website. In addition to that, cheese accompaniments like crackers, breads, olives and much more are sold by Elef Pantry through the same website.
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