I went to a cheese farm! I was pretty excited since in Goa, the only cheese I find which is edible is imported from Europe and costs about 12 bucks for a small square.
In a place that reveres cows, I was curious to see what a cheese and milk farm would look like here in India. And let’s be honest in a place sadly known internationally for dirty water and littering, I was a little curious to see this self named “organic” place.
This is one of my 8 favorite day trips from Mysore.
Location: Oxygen Acres. It took about 30 minutes to get here from Mysore.
Going Green | Oxygen Acres Organic Cheese Farm
Turns out, it was so organic I actually couldn’t even understand most of what was being discussed. The hot water you’ll shower in is solar powered, and the gas they use to cook is trapped in some bottle – I mean, actually let’s not even pretend I could explain. Just trust me, it’s legit.
Their organically fed cows were such a refreshing site. They were half Indian, half dutch mammoths (pure Dutch can’t handle this heat!). They had only 50 cows because that’s all the farm can sustain for now and they want to keep the cows 100% organic. We watched them in a milking session- if you want some milk just FYI there are 300 people on the waiting list.
As for cheese, they make it all there: gouda, mozerella, feta, cheddar, and four kinds of paneer.
Dinner & Sleeping at the Farm
The dinner was part of goMowgli, so I’m not sure if you’ll be so lucky if you go solo, but we had a killer meal from the Tandoor (what DID they put on that cauliflower!?); it was so good. The meal is 600 rs and is served buffet style. We stayed up late for a bonfire. I did think the meal was a little pricey for a backpacker budget, but I suppose an all you can eat splurge might be okay now and again.
There are dorm rooms for 500 rs or private ones for 1000 rs. The private room had hot water in a nice rain shower, and a big comfy bed. There weren’t quite enough blankets here so bring one along with you or some warm clothes if you come at winter.
All the laundry I had done in Mysore, which was not yet dry
Tip: if you’re with goMowgli you’ll get a cheese tasting tour for 150 rs. This is one of the many day trips from Mysore I recommend and took with goMowgli!
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I had to laugh when I read that a small square of cheese costs $12. I feel you. Indonesia has the most pathetic (and for the most part really bad) cheese selection. And when I do find decent cheese it costs like $8-12, for a tiny package. So. Depressing.
Ugh it’s so tragic. In the US I would get like $2 bags of already shredded cheeses of all types! I was so spoiled!
Those baby calves are adorable! Great pictures :)
Thanks girl!
Cool! You visited a cheese farm in India! Even I am curious to visit this one. The food and accommodation look good too!
OMgsh, that califlower was amazing. I have been trying to find a place in Goa.. but they do tika red sauce.. and this was a non spicy yellow sauce . I need more of it! lol
Very neat – I would imagine it certainly is a learning experience seeing an organic and sustainable farm in India!
Yeah, I was so shocked by it.
LOVE THIS POST!!! Amazing pics…I ‘M IN LOVE WITH THOSE PINK NOSES! ( That’s why I don’t eat them!!! ;-D) Thank you for this lovely post, Lucy!
They do have some cute little noses!!
i’m so happy i found your site, rachel – i have been devouring it the past couple days as i prepare for my first ever (And solo) trip to India in about two weeks for two months. I will be spending it in Kovalam (5 weeks there, oh my.. what am i going to do?) and 4 weeks in Mysore. I am scared, excited, nervous, happy.
woo hooo solo in India, so fun! that’s a long time in kovalam, what do you have planned?
What do I have planned in Kovalam.. well I am there to study with Philadelphia-based ashtanga yoga teacher, David Garrigues for 4 of those 5 weeks. The first week, I am just going to acclimate and I got invited to a Hindu wedding for my very first day in! I will be staying at a place called Muringa Vila, do you know of it? It is supposedly by a Ganesha temple, but I am not sure. It’s all vague. I asked for them to pick me up at the airport because I get into Trivandrum at 3:15 AM and although they had said it is “very simple” to get a pre-paid taxi, I just have a feeling I don’t want to deal with that after traveling for 25 hours or however long it is. They keep telling me that Kovalam is like “India-light” and very westernized – what do you think? If so, it might be a good place to ease into India.
I feel like things will be more expensive in Kovalam than in Trivandrum, for example – do you suggest I purchase supplies in Trivandrum than Kovalam? I guess I can see for myself, but you have been a comfort to me despite not knowing you personally.
I recall you addressing this before, but would you suggest a power surger and/or converter for my laptop and iPhone when I get to India? I got adapters.
It is very India-light you’ll have a great time. Most things in shops in India are marked with the amount on the package so they can’t charge more in touristy areas , I think you’ll be fine on that note. I would use a power surge. And the pre-paid taxis are much of a hassle at all in India.
Thanks Rachel!!
I have not seen it, but was wondering if you have a post regarding money withdrawals and currency for travelers coming to India? I have a big hotel bill to pay when I arrive, and it needs to be in rupees yet am nervous and clueless about how to get it once I’m there. I hear there is a limit on most ATMS and I am sure the bill exceeds the limit.
Seem weird they want the bill in cash only – if it’s that high of a bill, it must be a nice place, so then they should take credit/debit card which would be the best way for you to pay. ATM’s cut you off at 10,000 rs or 180 (ish) USD. Most banks allow you to use an ATM 2x in one day – so in one ATM visit you can pul out 20,000 rs.
Bovine Tuberculosis was a problem when I traveled in India decades ago. I often sought out milk from the buffalo due to they were not carriers of BT for my yogurts and lassies. Denmark was exporting cheeses even then along with a good quality powdered milk and an awful margarine that came in a gallon tin can. It’s plastic smell and taste is still residual in my memory. Dreadful stuff.
When I was in Nairobi a few years ago, I suggested to a friend that had a coffee farm that with all the Nubian goats around for roasting, why wasn’t she or anyone else make feta cheese? She replied that she just hadn’t thought about it and would Google cheese making requirements. I hope I left a small seed as my friend was interested in expanding her agricultural opportunities.The wonderful farm you visited is just what is needed everywhere.
I will be in India soon and am amazed at the rise of the industrious middle class you are showing me in this wonderful blog. I am grateful you are helping me ease in to an India changed by the rise of the middle class with all the cultural changes that have come with modern times.
I’m glad you’re finding my articles helpful. You’re right farms like this are needed everywhere
ach, this is cool! I’ve WWOOFed at an organic dairy farm in Germany and this Indian one is even nicer. Perhaps I can visit it too. Thanks for the info and enjoy your chai! :)
Thanks for the chai!! you’re too sweet. I emailed you.
What a neat experience to have in India! I miss a splurge being 600 rs…
haha yeah, so true
I think it’s weird that you think that these cows are being treated well. It’s pretty obvious that both the black (laying down) and the light brown calf are malnourished, close to starving. Those calves are way to young to be eating grass, they should be drinking the milk that the farm is making in to cheese. And the black and white calf (first pic) is tied so tight that he/she probably has problems both eating and breathing. How naive can you be? I thought you were a nurse…
I guess I’m about as naive as you are rude. I think you’re forgetting that in India most cows are on the streets dying from eating plastic, so yes I count these guys lucky. They need the little ones to grow strong to continue their farming, so they aren’t starving or choking them .. As a nurse, I think you need to take a deep breath & calm down :)
Of course it’s horrible that cows are eating plastic all over Indian, but does that make it okay to starve calves for cheese? In a country where cows are “holy” on top of all. Try to breathe and stay calm when you’re tied to a pole and deprived of food!
*sigh. I almost replied then though why bother.
I will try to use my card when I arrive. Thank you for sharing all this wonderful knowledge. You are a joy to find prior to my trip. What is it like going to Indian banks as an American? Perhaps I can pull out all that I need at a bank?
>>Seem weird they want the bill in cash only – if it’s that high of a bill, it must be a nice place, so then they should take credit/debit card which would be the best way for you to pay. ATM’s cut you off at 10,000 rs or 180 (ish) USD. Most banks allow you to use an ATM 2x in one day – so in one ATM visit you can pul out 20,000 rs.
I don’t think you can at a bank, as you’d have to belong to that bank.
Hehehe, I am such an idiot. Of course ! I really think I am losing my mind the week before my flight!
It’s good to see you sharing the pictures of the moments you spent with these people. The food and accommodation look good in these farm. Even I am curious to visit it.
Go have a look for sure.