GRAIN FREE, REGENERATIVE DAIRY
SLOW FOOD COMMUNITY MEMBER
Situated just outside Howick, in the KZN Midlands, is Preston Farm. Nestling in the rolling hills of the Karkloof, this beautiful, family farm – established in 1972 – is owned and run by Grant Warren. When he joined his father, John, in 1990, the farm was a smallholding with no more than 20 Jersey cows and one old tractor. With no working capital, it was one step at a time. Beginning with a small patch of cabbages, income was continually reinvested and the farm has grown to become the Home of La Petite France.
Our dairy products, all of which are GMO free and grain free, are handmade on Preston Farm. Jersey and Swedish Red cows graze the lush green pastures surrounding the dairy and factory. Grant's philosophy is one of natural balance so the focus is on milk quality and not quantity. An abundance of rye grass enables the cows to produce rich, sweet-tasting, top quality milk. Our cows are given the freedom to graze the fields day and night, the whole year round. They are not fed grains or maize silage since almost all modern grains are genetically modified, and are made from crops which require chemical spraying with insecticides and other poisons.
Our cows are not pushed for production using processed foods or hormones. They develop a high natural immunity ,thus minimizing veterinary interventions. This translates into milk with high food density, digestibility and delicious natural sweetness. Regular testing ensures high health and safety standards are met.
With the factory being situated on the farm near the dairy, there is no need to store or transport the milk. We use it still warm from the cows!
Our products are handmade using gentle techniques and processes. We keep it simple... just milk and cultures! No chemicals, colourants, stabalisers or any other additives. Their full-bodied flavours result from from setting nature to work, as was the tradition in days of old.
GRAIN FREE
ADDITIVE FREE
REGENERATIVE farming practices
Literally made "FROM OUR PASTURES TO YOUR PLATE"
The no grain, pasture-only diet of our cows imparts a delicious, natural sweetness to our products as well as maintaining the nutritional balance of heart-healthy fats and antioxidants.
Our cheese and dairy products (yoghurt, butter and double thick Jersey cream) are found in selected stores, in major centres countrywide.
La Petite France Camembert is a soft, smooth and creamy cheese with an edible rind. As Camembert matures it gains the deep, rich, almost earthy flavour that's evocative of those traditionally made and enjoyed in France where the paste becomes runny. The flavours intensify with age. Camembert is very versatile and can be served both hot (melted) and cold, sweet and savoury and paired with almost anything!
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La Petite France Camembert is available in rounds of between 250g to 310g and also as Petite (mini) Camembert of between 125 and 165g; ideal for one person to savour!
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Our Brie is a firm, creamy cheese with a snowy, white, edible rind. It has a rich flavour with a hint of mushroom and is usually milder than the Camembert, with a longer maturing period due to its higher rind-to-paste ratio. As with Camembert, Brie is a very versatile cheese and can be served both hot (melted) and cold, sweet and savoury, and be paired with almost anything!
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La Petite France Brie is available in 4 sizes. The Grand Brie has a diameter of about 20cm and weighs between 1.7kg to 2.1kg. The more popular rounds are about 10cm in diameter and weigh between 325g and 380. The popular Petite Brie weighs between 125g and 170g.
This multi-award winning Camembert has a dusting of activated charcoal on the rind. This creates a visually striking black and white contrast and gives it a unique texture and flavour that will enhance any cheese board!
The Brie Cremeux is similar to Cambrini. It has a more creamy flavour and firmer texture than the Brie.
La Petite France Tilsiter is a semi-hard Swiss-style cheese. It is less salted than cheddar and the curd is not pressed as is the case in cheddar-making but rather stirred. This exquisite, matured cheese has a rich, full-bodied flavour which builds on the palate.
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A Tilsiter wheel weighs about 3.5kgs and is approximately 22cm in diameter and 10cm deep. It is often used as the base for a cheese wedding cake or as a great flavour in cooking.
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Rich, creamy and smooth. Do not be fooled by its initial mellowness. Allow the complex smoky, nutty flavour to build on the palate and you will be asking for more. Served with figs or port this is an ideal after-dinner cheese but will also add zest to any soup or sauce for vegetables or meat or fish.
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Hilton Blue has its own edible rind and is generally 18cm in diameter and 10cm deep. It is often used as a tier in a cheese wedding cake.
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This is a versatile, mild, creamy but full flavoured Feta preserved in olive oil.
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La Petite France Feta is made with cow’s milk which gives it its wonderful yellow hue. It is a versatile, mild but full flavoured cheese preserved in olive oil which makes it a perfect addition to a summer salad or chopped over a pasta dish or simply added to a cheese board. It is presented in 10cm diameter rounds and comes in plain or flavoured with black pepper and sundried tomato and oreganum.
The tang of tomatoes with a combination of oreganum enriches this tasty Feta. With a little salt and time spent marinating in olive oil, this cheese has a Mediterranean flavour and children in particular love it and often describe it as “pizza cheese”.
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La Petite France Feta is made with cow’s milk which gives it its wonderful yellow hue. It is a versatile, mild but full flavoured cheese preserved in olive oil which makes it a perfect addition to a summer salad or chopped over a pasta dish or simply added to a cheese board. It is presented in 10cm diameter rounds and comes in plain or flavoured with black pepper and sundried tomato and oreganum.
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A smooth Feta that has the spicy pepper finish complimenting its natural, creamy flavour. This cheese is also preserved in olive oil.
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La Petite France Feta is made with cow’s milk which gives it its wonderful yellow hue. It is a versatile, mild but full flavoured cheese preserved in olive oil which makes it a perfect addition to a summer salad or chopped over a pasta dish or simply added to a cheese board. It is presented in 10cm diameter rounds and comes in plain or flavoured with black pepper and sundried tomato and oreganum.
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La Petite France’s Parmesan is made with half-fat cow’s milk and is a yellow, hard cheese with a natural rind. Its great nutty, fruity flavour will compliment any pasta or vegetable dish whether finely grated or thinly shaved.
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A great frying, grilling or braaiing cheese with a light mint flavour throughout the cheese
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La Petite France Halloumi is a great frying, grilling or braaiing cheese and comes in 10cm diameter rounds making it an ideal meat replacement. It can also be served hot with a summer salad or winter vegetable bake. The Halloumi comes in plain, mint and chilli and garlic flavours.
This is a great frying, grilling or braaiing cheese with a lovely light bite from the chilli and sweet garlic note.
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La Petite France Halloumi is a great frying, grilling or braaiing cheese and comes in 10cm diameter rounds making it an ideal meat replacement. It can also be served hot with a summer salad or winter vegetable bake. The Halloumi comes in plain, mint and chilli and garlic flavours.
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Simple, natural, mild in flavour it is delicious used in salads or in a hamburger.
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La Petite France Halloumi is a great frying, grilling or braaiing cheese and comes in 10cm diameter rounds making it an ideal meat replacement. It can also be served hot with a summer salad or winter vegetable bake. The Halloumi comes in plain, mint and chilli and garlic flavours.
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The La Petite France full fat and low fat strained yogurt is totally natural. It is made simply with pasture-fed cow’s milk and probiotic cultures. The yogurt has no added preservatives
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additives or stabilisers offering all the very best and well-known health benefits of a totally natural product. It is creamy thick and luscious on its own or with any number of added flavours. The yogurts are available in 1 litre or 500ml tubs.
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La Petite France cream is an experience. Decadent and natural it is a beautiful, rich, thick product reminiscent of Devonshire clotted cream (only not heated). It is best appreciated served with a scone or cake or desert but will enhance any savoury dish too. The cream is available in 500ml and 250ml tubs.
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Unfortunately this item has been discontinued.
Unfortunately this item has been discontinued.
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Our Farm Butter is the real thing! Rich, yellow and salted, with no additives or preservatives. The butter is available in 500g blocks (no longer available in tubs).
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Unfortunately this item has been discontinued.
LA PETITE FRANCE
CAFÉ AND FARM SHOP
OPENING TIMES:
Wednesday to Friday: 0800 to 16h00,
Saturday: 0800 to 14h00. We host the Karkloof Farmers' Market every Saturday from 08h00 to 12h00.
Sundays and public holidays: 09h00 to 15h00
WE HAVE A LIQUOR LICENSE:
Enjoy our cheese with wine or beer overlooking the farm.
DOG FRIENDLY:
Please keep pets on leads at all times and clean up after them.
PAYMENT:
Card or cash.
FARM STALL:
All our cheese and fresh-line products (yogurt, butter, cream) are available in-store. We also stock a selection of locally sourced farm products.
THE CAFÉ:
The cafe is situated in our barn which is also the venue for the Karkloof Farmers' Market. A visit to the café will allow you to soak up the tranquility and views of the dairy farm while enjoying a delicious, light, cheesy meal or a simply excellent cup of coffee and one of our homemade scones with our double thick cream.
CONTACT DETAILS: Cafe and shop mobile phone: 0631506099
Email: café@lapetitefrance.co.za
Address: Preston Farm, 9 Karkloof Road (6 km’s from Howick), same location as the Karkloof Farmers' Market.
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YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED:
We are GMO free.
We are grain free.
We are additive free which means ONLY milk and cultures.
Grassmilk has health benefits being richer in heart healthy fats and antioxidants.
Higher CLA (5 times), omega 3 (2 times), selenium, vit E, beta carotine, iron.
We have our own dairy.
SUSTAINABLE AS POSSIBLE:
Calf bedding, slurry and wash water is composted,
No cropping, so no spraying of pesticides etc.,
Minimal cultivation and tractor operations,
Use of perennial pastures for grazing,
Rainwater harvesting,
Use of wash water for pasture fertilisation,
Minimal vet intervention on cows,
No intervention to increase production (e.g. hormones, etc.).
Cows rest for 2 months before eligebility for pregnancy.
Cows have 2 months maternity rest before calving.
Use of A2 Jersey by AI which is more gentle than a bull.
Preston Farm is at 9 Karkloof Road, Howick, 3290 (6km from Supaquick)
S 29.43362°
E 30.24694°
La Petite France Cheese is supplied nationwide, to various outlets as well as wholesale distributors. Contact us today to find out where your nearest distributor is located.
