Frequently Asked Questions

Consumers

Organic foods are foods that are produced using farming methods that do not involve synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, do not contain genetically modified organisms, and are not processed using irradiation or industrial solvents. The farming methods protect our biodiversity by maintaining suitable habitats for plants, animals and wildlife and encourages people to buy their food locally and in season.  In order to qualify for legal organic status, we must adhere to the strictest rules laid down by our governing body I.O.F.G.A.

Our cheeses are low in fat and salt which is great for anyone watching their diet!  The soft cheese has a fat content of between 14% for the Divine to  18.2% for the Log and Original.  All the nutritional information for our cheeses are listed on the website.

The Divine and Original are both pasteurised. The other cheeses can be supplied either Raw or Pasteurised

St Tola cheese is very versatile and can be used in a wide range of recipes and ideas and these can seen throughout the website.

St. Tola cheeses are handmade organic cheeses, to which no additives or preservatives have been added. Our cheeses are living organisms and as they mature they become more distinctive in flavour. They will continue to mature in your premises if stored properly. Our cheeses should not be wrapped in cling film, as they needs to be able to breathe like you or me!

Please store in cheese paper or greaseproof paper. We do not create a synthetic rind to put on our soft St. Tola range (logs, crottin and slices). Instead we develop a natural geotritum mould rind and this grows as the cheese matures. It works to protect the cheese and enhance the flavour. As in all good artisanal cheeses, other natural moulds, usually green or blue, may also develop, but these cause no harm. Many cheese lovers actually look for these moulds before they purchasing! The rind is just removed before the cheese is consumed or used for cooking.

We mature our cheese to suit our customers’ individual requirements from young, fresh and mild to mature and more pronounced in flavour.

All of our cheeses are best stored between 4-7 degrees Celsius (38-45F).

To enjoy them at their fullest, always bring to room temperature before serving as this brings out the full flavours of the cheese.

Not long as it’s so delicious you'll eat it all! Once opened up the Original and Divine should be eaten within 3 days. The log and the crottin will last longer as they will mature on and hopefully just improve with age.

Stockists

Contact Grainne at St. Tola on Tel: 065 683 6633 or by email on sales@st-tola.ie  and we can organise distribution either directly or through a wholesaler if it is more convenient for you.

All our products are fully traceable from farm to fork. We are fully certified by the Department of Agriculture and I.O.F.G.A. and as such are subject to rigorous inspections.

Full details of the products are available on our products page

Prices and other details for stockist can be discussed on application.

We can provide P.R. material and samples and will try to arrange to do a tasting to help launch and promote St Tola through your store.