Cookhouse Creamery
These exceptional products are made in the picturesque Cookhouse, nestled in the foothills of the Bosberg Mountains in the heart of the Eastern Cape, South Africa.
The surrounding lush, green pastures, irrigated by the waters of the Great Fish River, provide the perfect grazing ground, where our healthy, contented cows can be seen grazing peacefully.
This ensures the highest quality milk, enabling our Creamery to craft cheeses that embody the care and craftsmanship of the region.
With each bite, you experience a true taste of tradition and the beauty of the South African landscape.
Some History:
The Cookhouse Creamery factory has been established since 1926. In 2018, the Just Milk Group bought the Cookhouse Creamery factory of the Dairybelle’s liquidation.
The factory has operated as part of a sustainable farming model between the Just Milk Group, Cookhouse Creamery, and Number Two Piggeries. The Just Milk Group supplies its milk to the factory, who in turn provide the whey from the cheese to the piggeries, who in turn provide manure for use on the dairy pastures.
The factory production recommenced in July 2018, with a number of loyal staff members integral to the factory’s operations remaining under the new ownership. Since, Cookhouse Creamery has expanded to produce mozzarella, gouda, butter, and flavoured butter, in addition to renowned cheddar.
Cookhouse Creamery prides itself on the quality of cheese and butter produced. This has been acknowledged by the South African Dairy Awards, in which Cookhouse Creamery, despite being a smaller operation that other factories in the country, has won awards and recognition. Notably, the mozzarella won the prestigious Qualite award in 2023.
The factory can process up to 220 000 litres per day, which is supplied from the surrounding Just Milk farms: Riverside, Dalfreuch, and Leeway.
Although the factory primarily produces bulk cheese and curd, Cookhouse Creamery boasts a small factory shop in Cookhouse, where cheese, butter, cream, and milk is sold. Fresh milk is offered at a discount to the local community.
Just Milk developed new dairies near Ida and Khowa. This venture inspired Cookhouse Creamery to expand by building a second factory located on the Mountain View dairy farm outside Khowa. Khowa Creamery’s production commenced in June 2024, processing milk from the surrounding Just Milk Group dairies.
Both factories operate within five kilometres of where Just Milk dairies. These farms are pasture-based and the jersey cows produce milk of exceptionally high butterfat and protein – ideal for the cheese and butter making processes. These factories aim to use the high-quality milk to produce the best butter and cheese in the country. Momentum is gaining – watch this space.
Drink milk. Eat cheese.
