CSU Cheese Factory

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why Australian Native Flavours?

It gives us a point of difference. We are the only cheese factory in Australia using Australian native flavours in cheese. CSU is conducting research into Australian native flavours in both food science and biomedical science. It is also one of the passions of our experienced cheesemaker.

2. Why does the University support a commercial cheese factory?

Firstly, for student use, it allows students to gain valuable work experience through projects and traineeships in a commercial environment. Secondly, through tours, talks and cheese sales, we promote the University and its endeavours. We hope that our cheese helps to spread the word about CSU wherever it is sold throughout Australia and overseas.

3. What do students do in the factory?

Several things! Our food science students spend time in the factory to learn about the processes common to any food factory, e.g. hygiene, quality systems and code of practice. Other CSU students from fields such as marketing, agribusiness and graphic design use the factory for real-life projects, e.g. in designing new cheese labels and expansion into the overseas market. Also, French graduates interested in becoming cheesemakers or working in the food industry have spent three months working on projects such as the development of Labneh. At CSU, such students are able to gain skills in developing an idea from conception through its creation to label design and marketing of the finished product.

4. Do students make the cheese?

No. The cheese is made by a professional cheesemaker with over 20 years experience in the dairy industry.

5. Is it experimental cheese?

No. A tremendous amount of research and development has gone into the cheese manufacture, e.g. the Bidgee cheese development and research into the amount of flavour to add.

6. What is Bidgee cheese?

Bidgee cheese is named after the Murrumbidgee River, which flows through the Riverina region. It is a new style of semi-hard cheese developed by CSU to complement the added flavour, without overpowering it. Bidgee cheese has a mild and clean flavour.

7. Is it a club cheese?

No, definitely not. Our flavours are added during the manufacture of the cheese so it is a natural process, without the addition of preservatives. In contrast, flavoured club cheese is made from cheese which has been shredded and had flavours and preservatives added to it before being re-pressed.