In The Press

India Untold: Did you know Pahalgam is home to one of the world's most unique cheeses?

Nestled in this tranquil valley is the Himalayan Cheese Factory, a small but mighty operation started by Dutch national Chris Zandee and managed by local shepherd-turned-entrepreneur Gulaam Hassan. The factory works closely with Kashmir’s nomadic pastoral communities — the Gujjars and Bakarwals — helping them improve milk hygiene, boost production, and sell cheese varieties that blend traditional knowledge with global appeal.

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Dreams Made of Cheese: Kashmiri Women Rewrite their Lives, One Cheese Wheel At a Time

In Kashmir’s valleys, women are transforming their lives through artisanal cheese‑making. Each wheel of Kalari or Gouda carries a story of resilience, pride, and newfound opportunity.

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Himalayan Cheese In The Kashmir Valley

In Kashmir’s valley, a Dutch entrepreneur and local women are turning artisanal cheese into a story of resilience and sustainable livelihoods. Their Gouda, Cheddar, and Kalari are not just delicacies, but symbols of empowerment in a region long defined by struggle.

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A cheese from the Himalayan mountains

Did you know that the popular mozzarella used in your pizza toppings was first created near Naples from the rich milk of water buffaloes? At the time, it rarely left its home near Naples, as it was made from pasteurised milk, and a lack of refrigeration meant it had a very short shelf life.

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A Dutchman Making Cheese In Kashmir

Chris was travelling in Eastern Europe and other less developed countries, when he received an invitation to visit Kashmir by a company that had a project running with the government. "I came to Kashmir a single guy and then met my Indian wife here. Once i settled down, one of the first things i asked myself was what we could do for the farmers here," recalls Zandee.

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Rocky finds cheese in Pahalgam | #RoadTrippinWithRocky S6

Rocky at Himalayan Products in Pahalgam. He discovers a cheese factory in the pristine hills and he takes you into the treasure vault.

रॉकी पहुँचे पहलगाम में हिमालयन प्रोडक्ट्स की फ़ैक्टरी जहाँ वो देख और दिखा रहे हैं कि कैसे बनते हैं तरह-तरह के चीज़।

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The Kashmiri Cheese Brand Operating at 7,000 Feet

In 2003, Zandee was trekking in the upper reaches of Pahalgam—a popular route for tourists in the Himalayas—when he saw the Gujjars whipping milk to make Kalari cheese in their free time, easily beating the milk in a steel jug with a wooden whisk. He was fascinated.

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