Southern Sky 101: some quick answers
We get asked all of these questions regularly and while some other blog posts deal with each of them in detail, we thought it might be handy to have some short, sharp answers.
Here goes:
Where can we find your cheese?
Obviously here online, but closer to our home base in Tasmania you can find some of our products in selected independent grocers around the state as well as at our factory shop in Invermay (see below). We're also at the Harvest Market in Launceston every Saturday from 8.30am-12.30pm.
Do you have a factory shop?
Yes, you can find all of our products at our factory outlet at 27 Montague St, Invermay.
How do you pack the cheese you sell online?
Keeping the cheese in good condition in transit is a priority for us. First, we pack ice blocks with all of our cheese orders. The ice and cheese is wrapped in a layer of thermal insulation to further protect it. It is then packed into a mini 'esky box' which also works to keep it cool. We send our online orders with Australia Post using Express Post. That means the cheese usually arrives the day after we pack it, or two days after we pack it at worst, depending on the delivery area. Our customers have reported their cheese has been arriving still cool and in great condition.
Why do you wax your cheddars?
Waxing is a traditional way of preserving our cheddars, helping to seal it from the outside air and extending its shelf life. Rod also knows it improves the texture of the cheese, helping maintain a less-dense texture compared with regular vacuum packaging.
How do you cook your halloumi?
The secret to great halloumi (apart from using Southern Sky halloumi) is to make sure you have a hot pan and just sizzle it for a minute or two on each side. And no, you don't need to add butter or oil to the pan (see below).
Do you put butter or oil in the pan with halloumi?
NO. There are enough natural fats in the halloumi for it to cook fine. Also, if you add butter or oil, you'll end up with those flavours in the cheese.
Why do you call yourself a fromagerie?
We could just say we're a cheese shop or cheese company but Rod Wyker’s dream for Southern Sky Cheese Company has always been a bit more than that. Depending on the translation from French and your dictionary, fromagerie means “’cheese shop’’, “cheese factory’’ or even “dairy’’. Rod believes fromagerie means ``place of cheese’’ and looks to Europe for a lot of his inspiration.
Where do you get your truffles?
We get all of our truffles from Tamar Valley Truffles. They're grown and hunted out not that far from the Launceston CBD.