Calkins Creamery

As we were visiting from Buffalo, NY, we made a point of stopping after having sampled cheeses from past visits to the area and from dining at local restaurants. We were unfamiliar with the back roads of Honesdale/​Beach Lake area, but it was well worth the trip to the farm store. The farm and shop was spotless and everyone who worked there was terrific. We stocked up on plenty of delicious cheeses, and are still enjoying them (also some local honey). These are truly artisanal cheeses, and I highly recommend.

I finally found a special type of cheese I was looking for in the States. For some reason this type of cheese is only popular in Europe and not here. The English word for it is quark. The origin of this type of cheese is German, though being from Ukraine I never knew that. The cheese that is made by Emily, the owner of Calkins Creamery, is absolutely delicious. In Russian it is known as «tvorog». I found a few places in the States where I bought quark, but the quark from Emily is by far the best one I ever tasted (even in my home country). We are buying it from her periodically (once every two weeks or so) and it is being shipped to us by UPS. My baby loves it. I gave to him since he was about 7 month old. It is an organic product even though there is no stamp on it (we made a special trip to the farm to see their cows and the entire operation and ask about their practices). The packaging is impeccable and it always arrives cold and fresh on the next day after the order was placed.

Calkins Creamery
Upper Delaware River Valley — Pocono/​Catskill Region
«Calkins Creamery is a small, farmstead cheese operation on Highland Farm in Wayne County, Pennsylvania. Emily Montgomery, the cheese maker, produces an array of raw milk aged cheeses as well as fresh, pasteurized cheeses. Emily’s father and brother, Bill & Zack, operate the 6^th generation family farm. Cheese is aged at the creamery and underground in the caves at neighboring Calkins Creek Vineyard. Cheeses are distributed to 100+ locations across NY, NJ, PA, MD and CA. Also available whey-​fed pork, pastured beef, raw honey, local maple syrup and more!»
Mission Statement
«Calkins Creamery will specialize in fine, artisan cheeses, using only the freshest milk possible from our very own herd of registered Holstein cattle. Our cows are well cared for and comfortable, cow comfort reduces stress and results in an increase of milk production and butterfat.»
Review
The cheeses and cheese spreads are some of the best I have ever had, just terrific! My favorite is the Vampire Slayer /​stirred curd raw milk cheddar with a hand mixed blend of herbs and just the right amount of garlic, out of this world good! 4 Dog Dill /​creamy, tangy, raw milk american havarti with a healthy dose of dill or the spicy Udderly Hot /​the same raw milk american havarti with a perfect amount of locally grown peppers. The spreads use similar ingredients, unfortunately not as widely available but equally delicious on a bagel, toast or cracker. Find it near you or buy it online
Amazing cheese, just amazing!