Cheese of the Week: Capriole Piper's Pyramide

Piper's Pyramide Cheese photos by Capriole via their website

Capriole Piper's Pyramide comes from Capriole Farms in Indiana near the Kentucky border. At first glance, this cheese is very intriguing with the little reddish speckles of paprika on top. I discovered on the Capriole website that the cheese is named after the founder's red-haired granddaughter (hence the paprika). Piper is bright and refreshing with a spicy, smoky edge. Piper's Pyramide cheese is a winner of many American Cheese Society awards, proving it's well deserved recognition!

This cheese has lovely, light, cloudlike textures that gradually get denser and more buttery with age. It is aged for 10 days and it is sold very young, but personally, I prefer it to age a bit more between 5-6 weeks from the code date! This cheese ripens so beautifully and always has me coming back for more. Piper's smoky kick of paprika makes it a perfect ripened goat to pair with spiced nuts, charcuterie, or pickled fruits and veggies.

I tried a delicious pairing of young to medium ripe Piper's Pyramide, my favorite Rosé, and a white bean and kale salad garnished with balsamic. Truly a wonderful cheese to bring the dish together beautifully.

Ripened Goat Cheeses. Image by Capriole via their website.

After roaming around on the Capriole Goat Cheese website I came across their origin story. According to the Capriole website, in 1976 Larry and his family began resurrecting their grandparent's 1850 historic farm in southern Indiana. Over the next 3 years, they worked hard to bring their ideas and goals to life. It started out with one goat, then another, and eventually they had over 50 animals by the mid '80s. They were swimming in goat milk, canning and preserving, and making goat cheese in the farm kitchen for relatives!

In 1988, they took the next step and built a commercial dairy. Hauling 70 gallons of milk twice a week to a nearby Huber Orchard & Winery to try out their home cheesemaking skills. By 1990, they had outgrown the space, expanded their herd, and built a small creamery on the farm. 30 years later, they are still on the family farm ladling 400 gallon vats of cheese curds by hand!

Capriole Goat Cheese is full of genuine memories and beautiful stories. Their vision is based on family and that includes the Capriole Team of passionate cheesemakers and employees, all who love the family farm and the legacy they have created!

Click here to find the closest store that carries Piper's Pyramide near you!