Frequently Asked Questions

Discover everything you need to know about our artisanal cheese crafting process

Our cheeses are symphonies of flavor composed with milk from grass-fed cows who dance through pristine alpine meadows. At Boxorea, we embrace ancient cheese-making traditions while innovating with modern techniques, creating wheels of wonder that have been aged to perfection in our mountain cellars. Each bite tells a story of artisanal craftsmanship where science meets poetry—no artificial ingredients or preservatives ever interrupt this natural masterpiece.

Most of our artisanal cheeses are crafted using traditional methods that include animal rennet. However, we've cultivated a special "Verdant Collection" specifically designed for our vegetarian cheese enthusiasts. These selections use plant-based or microbial rennet alternatives without compromising on the complex flavor profiles that define Boxorea's reputation. Each vegetarian-friendly cheese is clearly marked on our website and packaging with our distinctive green leaf emblem.

Boxorea's story begins in 1897 when our founder, Emil Korelli, transformed his grandmother's kitchen experiments into artful science. For over 125 years, our cheese-making legacy has passed through five generations of passionate artisans, each adding their signature touch while honoring our fundamental commitment to quality. Through world wars, economic transformations, and changing tastes, our wheels have continued to mature in the same stone cellars where Emil first discovered the perfect aging conditions—a living timeline of tradition married to careful innovation.

Our cheese library spans from whisper-soft bloomy rinds to robust aged hard cheeses that command attention. The Boxorea collection includes our award-winning Alpine Blue (a gentle blue cheese with hints of chocolate and walnut), Moonlight Ash (a visually striking ash-ripened goat cheese with citrus undertones), Amber Reserve (a caramel-noted cow's milk cheese aged 24 months), and our signature Mountain Flower (a semi-soft cheese washed with local wildflower honey). We also craft seasonal limited editions that capture fleeting flavor moments throughout the year.

Absolutely! Our Artisan's Laboratory line explores the boundaries of cheese imagination. Current offerings include our Ember Spice (infused with smoked paprika and cumin), Forest Floor (featuring wild mushrooms and thyme), Midnight Truffle (marbled with genuine black truffle), and Citrus Awakening (studded with preserved lemon and rosemary). Each flavor adventure begins with our pure base cheeses before our master cheesemakers thoughtfully introduce complementary elements that enhance rather than overwhelm the cheese's essential character.

Good news for those monitoring lactose intake: many of our aged hard cheeses naturally contain minimal lactose, as the aging process breaks down this milk sugar over time. Our Extra-Aged Reserve, Vintage Cheddar, and Grand Parmesan have negligible lactose content (typically less than 0.1g per serving). Additionally, we've developed our "Gentle Palette" collection—specialized recipes where lactose is enzymatically pre-digested during production, creating cheeses that preserve rich flavors while being kinder to sensitive digestive systems.

Our cheeses journey to you in a carefully orchestrated cold chain symphony. Each order is hand-cut and wrapped in specialized cheese paper that allows proper breathing while maintaining humidity. These treasures are then nestled in sustainable wool insulation within our recycled cardboard boxes alongside phase-change cooling elements calibrated to maintain ideal temperatures (between 35-45°F). We ship exclusively with overnight or 2-day services and track weather patterns to prevent exposing our cheeses to extreme conditions, sometimes delaying shipments to guarantee your cheese arrives in peak condition.

We currently ship our cheese anthologies to select countries where import regulations permit dairy products from our facilities. International shipments include additional specialized packaging and expedited delivery to ensure freshness across borders. Due to the complexity of international food regulations, we handle these orders personally—please contact our International Concierge team at global@boxorea.com with your location, and we'll provide detailed information about availability, customs requirements, and delivery timelines for your specific country.

Our Cheese Journey subscription transforms your refrigerator into an ever-evolving tasting room. Choose your adventure—Classics Collection, Bold Explorer, or Cheesemaker's Choice—then select your frequency (monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly). Each curated box includes 3-5 cheeses (approximately 1.5 pounds total), tasting notes with flavor maps, pairing suggestions, and the story behind each selection. Subscribers gain exclusive access to limited-batch experiments, pre-release tastes of seasonal specials, and member pricing on our full catalog. Your journey can be paused, modified, or canceled at any time.

Think of cheese as a living entity that requires the right environment to express its full character. Store our cheeses wrapped in the specialized cheese paper we provide (or parchment paper if you need a replacement), then place in a partially-sealed container in your refrigerator's vegetable drawer—this creates a microclimate with ideal humidity. Hard cheeses can last 3-4 weeks when properly stored, while soft varieties should be enjoyed within 1-2 weeks of delivery. Always allow cheese to rest at room temperature for 30-60 minutes before serving to awaken dormant flavors and achieve optimal texture.

While we understand the desire to preserve your cheese treasures, freezing fundamentally alters the delicate architecture of most artisanal cheeses. Ice crystals disrupt the carefully crafted texture, potentially damaging the flavor compounds we've nurtured for months or years. If absolutely necessary, hard cooking cheeses like our Mountain Grate or Aged Cheddar can survive freezing when tightly wrapped and used within 2 months—primarily for cooking applications rather than direct enjoyment. Instead of freezing, we recommend purchasing smaller quantities more frequently to experience our cheeses as the artisans intended.

Each cheese in our collection offers a unique conversation with complementary flavors. Our creamy Velvet Cloud sings alongside honeycomb and fresh berries, while the crystalline bite of our Alpine Treasure finds harmony with toasted walnuts and tart apple slices. For our bold Midnight Blue, try a drizzle of local honey or a rich fig jam to balance its savory depths. When selecting beverages, remember this principle: delicate cheeses pair with lighter wines and ales, while robust aged varieties stand up beautifully to full-bodied reds and porters. Each shipment includes our pairing passport with specific suggestions for your selected cheeses.

Our Artisanal Journey

Welcome to Boxorea, where every cheese wheel tells a story of passion, craftsmanship, and dedication to natural goodness. Our journey began in the rolling meadows where pristine air mingles with morning dew, creating the perfect environment for what would become a sanctuary of artisanal cheese-making.

Founded by a family whose hands have known the alchemy of milk transformation for generations, Boxorea emerged from a simple belief: that cheese should taste like a landscape - complex, honest, and teeming with character. What started as a modest operation in a converted barn has blossomed into a hub of cheese innovation while staying true to time-honored techniques.

Our Mission

To craft extraordinary cheeses that honor the land, respect the animals, and celebrate the ancient dance between human hands and nature's bounty. We don't just make cheese; we preserve a legacy of taste that connects past wisdom with future possibilities.

Boxorea Cheese Artisans at Work

The Boxorea Philosophy

At Boxorea, we believe that exceptional cheese begins long before the milk reaches our creamery. It starts with contented animals grazing on diverse pastures, tended by farmers who understand that the richness of the soil translates directly to the complexity of flavor in our final creations.

Our cheeses ripen in cellars where temperature and humidity dance in perfect harmony, each wheel developing a personality as distinct as a fingerprint. We embrace the subtle variations that come with each season, celebrating cheese as a living art form rather than a standardized product.

Our Core Values

Purity Without Compromise

We use only natural ingredients, eschewing additives and shortcuts that would diminish the soul of our cheese.

Craftsmanship Over Convenience

Every wheel receives attentive care from experienced hands that know when to intervene and when to let nature work its magic.

Sustainable Stewardship

We maintain responsibility to the land, animals, and communities that make our work possible, ensuring our practices enhance rather than deplete.

Boxorea Cheese Aging Process