Emese Cheese Workshop

Emese Tusz handcrafts her cheeses and dairy products in her small workshop in Cserszegtomaj, using milk from goats raised on her own farm. Her artisanal business was born out of a family need and has since brought the joy of dairy products to many loyal customers. If you're looking for pure, high-quality treats that even those with milk sensitivities can enjoy – start your tasting journey here!

Emese previously worked as a German teacher until her young son was diagnosed with milk protein and lactose intolerance. This challenge led her to seek alternatives.

What began as home experiments turned into a passion and then a profession: she started making cheese and dairy products from goat milk, which her son tolerated better. To build her expertise, Emese completed a two-year dairy training course in Csermajor and then set up her own small workshop in Cserszegtomaj.

Today, her son, who has essentially grown up with goat farming, actively participates in caring for the goats and maintaining the family business.

At the Emese Cheese Workshop stall, you'll find fresh goat cheese flavoured with spices, aged Jersey cow cheese, yoghurt, kefir, and occasionally butter and curd – all made from ingredients sourced from her own farm in Cserszegtomaj.

The goat herd currently numbers around 80, with about three-quarters of the animals producing milk.

The products are always made from pasteurised milk, using natural rennet and cultures, so you don't have to worry about a "goaty" taste. Emese cares for her goats with great attention and expertise, ensuring their cleanliness – a key factor in producing high-quality cheese.

Emese avoids using additives, flavour enhancers, or preservatives, preparing her products naturally and in compliance with regulations.

Much of the production process is done by hand – from shaping the cheese to seasoning it. Emese adjusts her recipes based on the milk's characteristics, as she says, "Every day the milk is different, its taste changes, it behaves differently – and you can't force it into a formula, you can only follow it."

Fresh, creamy cheese is often flavoured with lightly smoked paprika or spices, the yoghurt is thick yet silky, and the kefir is light but full of flavour. The aged cheeses have a more robust taste profile.

In addition to goats, Emese also keeps a Jersey cow to expand her product range. Dairy products made from Jersey cow milk, which contains A2 beta-casein, can also be consumed by those sensitive to regular milk. Emese typically uses this milk for her aged cheeses and occasionally produces limited quantities of yoghurt.

She treats the different types of milk separately, with distinct recipes, as she knows: they behave differently, and the flavours and textures develop uniquely.

Fun fact: Goats' natural milk production season begins in spring, right after kidding, and usually lasts until autumn. This means that most fresh goat milk products – such as cheese, yoghurt, or kefir – are only available during specific times of the year. In winter, the goats do not produce milk, so cheese production pauses.

The products are only available at the Hévíz Farmers' Market, as Emese insists that meeting the customer is part of the experience. She is happy to share stories about the cheese, the goats, and the production process – and sometimes even offers tips on pairing suggestions.

This sentence perhaps sums up better than anything else why what is made at Emese Cheese Workshop is so special: it’s not just healthy, natural, and delicious – it’s also honest, human, and full of love.

Goat cheeses in a variety of flavours

Fresh cheeses, cheese spreads, yoghurt, and kefir – you’ll find all this at Emese Cheese Workshop. The quality guarantee comes partly from the fact that the ingredients come from her own goats, and partly from her extensive expertise and over 10 years of cheese-making experience.

The cheeses are made exclusively from pasteurised goat milk, using natural rennet and carefully selected bacterial cultures. Emese prepares the fresh cheeses just before market days, ensuring true freshness.

In addition to the plain natural cheese, you can choose from a variety of exciting flavours. Try garlic, chilli, red onion, fenugreek, or chive variations, or even a dessert cheese flavoured with walnuts and cranberries.

When it comes to seasoning, Emese places great emphasis on quality and gluten-free ingredients: she uses Lukullus products to ensure that even those with gluten sensitivities can safely enjoy her cheeses.

The cheeses are entirely additive-free – no flavour enhancers, colourings, or preservatives are used. The smoked varieties are prepared with beechwood and cold smoking to preserve their soft texture and natural aromas.

Goat cheese is the perfect companion to a slice of sourdough bread, but you can also enjoy it diced in a fresh salad or alongside an apple.

Where to find the products:

• Hévíz Farmers' Market