Eichtens

 

Artisan Cheese and American Bison Meat

Cheese & Bison Info

What's the Difference?
Taste & Flavor

Our cheese is made from cow's milk that goes directly from the dairy farm to the vat at our farm.  Farm direct and farm fresh.  The milk is then pasteurized here at our farm and sent directly to our open small vat.  All work is done by hand in small batches to insure quality and consistency.  From the mixing of the spices used in our herb and spiced cheeses to the stirring of the curds and whey.

Eichtens cheese has the qualities found only the in the most expensive imported cheese at a domestic price.

For the gourmet cheese lover...

The Natural Winner
Our hoops (forms) are purchased from the Netherlands.  The cheese is pressed and turned by hand.  The cheese is then moved to a warm room until it reaches the ideal ph and acidity.  The next stop is to put the cheese into a brining tank to start the curing process.  It is again hand turned and watched for several days before it goes into the aging room.  It is then aged for a least 60 days, and again is turned every 10 days during this period to insure the proper distribution of the culture.


Pure Ingredients
All of Eichten's Natural Cheese is made on our farm from fresh cow's milk.  We add no coloring, artificial flavors or preservatives (our milk contains no growth hormones.)
Aging Rooms
Our aging rooms are kept at a precise temperature and the cheese is moved and turned daily for the correct breathing and aging.  We age our cheese 60 days or longer.  The longer the aging, the sharper the taste.

Our Family
As our family of customers has grown, so has our product line.  Since 1976, the Eichten family has been producing award winning European cheese specialing in a True Dutch Gouda.  Eichtens is extremely well know for their famous Tilsit cheese (mom's own receipe).  Currently they process up to 13 different flavors from their famous Tomato Basil, Chipotle Pepper, Herb n Spice or even their newest flavor, Olive Tapenade.


"Cheese is the purest and most romantic link between humans and the earth"
                                       Pierre Androuet

Naturally Raised Bison....
Located in east central Minnesota, the Eichten Bison Ranch has about 350 head of American Plains Bison (Buffalo).

Our animals are raised on native pasture grasses, hay, oats and corn silage (the whole corn plant chopped).  We grow all the crops the bison consume with no pesticides or herbicides.

Bison meat is the most flavorful meat most people have ever tasted. "It tastes like meat used to taste."  Many notice a sweeter flavor than beef, which adds to the richness of the meat.  It is not "gamey" or wild tasting.  Bison meat is just naturally flavorful and tender.  It tastes great by itself and will enhance your favorite recipe.

Our Bison Meat...
A strong relationship between the human and buffalo has existed for thousands of years.  Bison sustained the lives of the explorers and settlers going west as well as the Native American.  They were believed to be the most important of the wild animals in the development of North America.  Once an integral part of the Indian's way of life, the American Bison is again a central part of the lives of many Americans today.  The Bison stand as a symbol of the American West, an animal of survival and our American Heritage.

Many refer to this magnificent animal as "Buffalo."  As the buffalo becomes more and more popular in the Livestock industry, you will see the "Bison" and "American Buffalo" are being used interchangeable to refer to the same animal.  The Bison is indeed the true American buffalo we know and consumers need to avoid the confusion between Bison and Water Buffalo.

Bison returns today as a lean red meat source with all the important characteristics, which the health conscious consumer of today is demanding.  Bison meat is good and good for you!  Quality Bison meat has excellent texture and flavor-plus the benefits of low fat, calories, cholesterol and high vitamins, minerals and protein.

Nutrient Composition
(Per 100 grams of cooked lean meat)

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Species Fat Calories Cholesterol Iron
BISON 2.42 143 82 3.42
Beef 9.38 211 86 2.00
Pork 9.66 212 86 1.1
Chicken
(skinless)
7.41 190 89 1.21
Duck
(skinless)
11.2 201 89 2.7
Venison 3.9 158 112 4.47
Halibut 2.94 140 41 1.07
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Source:  USDA Handbook
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