Category Archives: Water Buffalo Cheese

Water buffalo milk is thicker, richer and nutritionally superior to cow’s milk, and it is pure white. Our water buffalo milk is sourced from Island farms where the gentle water buffalo forage for grass and herbs.

Your perfect Buffalo Brie Share Board and Drink Pairings.

Soft Cheese, Water Buffalo Cheese

Fresh & Bright

  • Sliced pear, apple, or fresh figs
  • Green grapes or blueberries
  • Thinly sliced radish or fennel for crunch

Sweet Counterpoints

  • Local honey (especially wildflower or clover)
  • Fig jam or pear compote
  • Light berry preserves (nothing too sweet)

Crunch & Texture

  • Toasted walnuts, hazelnuts, or almonds
  • Seeded crackers, water crackers, or crostini
  • Fresh baguette or sourdough

Optional Savoury Touch

  • Mild prosciutto or speck (used sparingly)
  • Olive oil & flaky sea salt drizzle just before serving

Buffalo Brie’s luxuriously creamy texture and gentle tang pair beautifully with Vancouver Island’s cool-climate wines and thoughtfully crafted beers. The key is balance — freshness, brightness, and restraint — qualities Island producers do exceptionally well.

In the Comox Valley, 40 Knots Winery & Beaufort Vineyard & Estate Winery are natural partners. Their crisp whites and light, food-friendly wines and ciders complement Buffalo Brie without overpowering it, creating an elegant pairing that feels distinctly local.

From the Cowichan Valley, Averill Creek Vineyard brings beautifully structured Chardonnay and delicate Pinot Noir that echo the cheese’s creamy character while maintaining finesse. Unsworth Vineyards rounds out the pairing with aromatic, well-balanced whites and blends that lift the palate and keep each bite feeling fresh.

For beer lovers, Gladstone Brewing Co. (Courtenay) offers an equally thoughtful Island pairing. Clean, approachable lagers like Glad Light Lager refresh the palate and let Buffalo Brie remain the star, making them ideal for relaxed boards and casual gatherings.

Together, these local wines and beers create a cohesive Vancouver Island pairing experience — one that celebrates craftsmanship, terroir, and the quiet luxury of Buffalo Brie.

A big thank you from an artisan cheese Factory

mozzarella, Videos, Water Buffalo Cheese
Buy BC Ambassador Michael Tchao with Natural Pastures cheesemaker Paul Sutter and a wheel of cheese. Photo: Richard Maxton.

Buy BC Ambassador Michael Tchao with Natural Pastures cheesemaker Paul Sutter and a wheel of cheese. Photo: Richard Maxton.

A thank you note:

Dear Buy BC Team and Chef Michael and everyone involved from farm to factory,

All the best — and a heartfelt thank you — for taking the time, energy and care to visit the Vancouver Island Water Buffalo farms, getting to know our team, ( some with 4 legs, some with 2) and crafting the wonderful videos about water-buffalo cheese. Your commitment to telling the story behind the milk and cheeses — from pasture to plate — means a great deal to us.

You’ve helped shine a spotlight on the hard work, dedication, and passion that goes into every wheel and wedge.

We’re deeply grateful for your effort, your respect for our farmers and cheesemakers, and your support in helping British Columbians appreciate what makes buffalo-milk cheese so special.

Thank you again, from all of us at Natural Pastures.

What was published? See below all the work that came together!

Why British Columbians Love Water Buffalo Cheese

We have a summery of the articles and videos but please check out all the content: it will assist you to understand the care and attention that goes into all our cheese.

Buy BC Website: Why British Columbians love water buffalo cheese so much
Buy BC Facebook sharing out the website post
Buy BC X Michael Tchao Instagram Carousel (behind the scenes)
Buy BC X Michael Tchao Instagram Reel


In British Columbia, farms such as Coleman Meadows Farm (Port Alberni) and McClintock Farm in Courtenay, raise water buffalo whose milk is rich, high in fat and low in cholesterol — ideal for cheesemaking. That milk travels to Natural Pastures Cheese Company in Courtenay, where skilled cheesemakers transform it into authentic cheeses like Mozzarella di Bufala, Bocconcini di Bufala, Buffalo Brie, and more.
Though water buffalo are newcomers to Canadian dairy — first arriving in 2000 — their global legacy and the ideal climate and forage on Vancouver Island make them well-suited to thrive here. The post underscores that cheesemaking at Natural Pastures combines artisanal tradition with modern precision: while state-of-the-art equipment supports consistency, much of the magic is in the hands-on expertise, from feeling the curd to judging texture by touch.

The article also places emphasis on the deeper meaning behind the cheese: it’s not just about dairy, but community, sustainability, and long-term commitment. Farms like Coleman Meadows are rooted in care for land, animals and people. Buy BC – Government of British Columbia In this way, water-buffalo cheese becomes a symbol of local agriculture’s cycle — where local forage nourishes animals, which yield milk that nourishes people, strengthening the entire community in the process. Buy BC – Government of British Columbia

Natural Pastures Cheese Strikes Gold at the Royal Winter Fair 2023 with Bufetta – A Water Buffalo Milk Delight

News, Press Release, Water Buffalo Cheese

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COURTENAY, BC, CANADA — January 9, 2024

Natural Pastures Cheese, a renowned artisanal Canadian cheese producer located in Courtenay, British Columbia, is thrilled to announce its recent triumph at the prestigious Royal Winter Fair in Toronto. The esteemed competition, held in 2023, saw Natural Pastures Cheese’s Bufetta, a delectable water buffalo milk product, clinch the Gold Medal in recognition of its exceptional quality and flavor. Since November 1922, Toronto has held the annual Royal Agricultural Winter Fair which is a tribute to Canadian agriculture. Held annually at the Canadian National Exhibition grounds, it has been considered the world’s largest indoor agricultural, horticultural and equestrian fair.

Bufetta, crafted with precision and care, exemplifies Natural Pastures Cheese’s commitment to sourcing the finest ingredients and employing traditional cheese-making techniques. Made with non-GMO, grass-fed water buffalo milk, and “BC Dairy” cow milk (made with 70 % Water buffalo milk and 30% Cow milk) Bufetta boasts a distinct profile that sets it apart from your average feta. The rich, creamy texture and unique flavor have made it a sought-after choice among chefs and food enthusiasts.

The heart and soul behind Natural Pastures Cheese’s success lie in the expertise of its master cheese maker, Paul Sutter, of Swiss descent. With many years of dedicated service to the company, Paul Sutter has played a pivotal role in developing and perfecting the water buffalo products that have now earned them the prestigious Gold Medal at the Royal Winter Fair.

“We are truly honored and delighted to receive the Gold Medal at the Royal Winter Fair for Bufetta,” said Doug Smith – Operations Manager at Natural Pastures Cheese. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work and passion of our team, particularly our master cheese maker, Paul Sutter. His expertise and dedication have been instrumental in creating exceptional water buffalo milk products. We extend our gratitude to the Royal Winter Fair for providing a platform to showcase the best in Canadian cheese.”

The Royal Winter Fair is renowned for its rigorous judging process, making Natural Pastures Cheese’s Gold Medal win a significant achievement. This accolade further solidifies the company’s standing in the Canadian cheese industry and highlights its dedication to producing exceptional artisanal cheeses.

For more information about Natural Pastures Cheese and its award-winning Bufetta, please visit [website link].

About Natural Pastures Cheese: Natural Pastures Cheese is a distinguished artisanal cheese producer located in Courtenay, British Columbia, Canada. Committed to crafting high-quality cheeses, the company focuses on using the finest ingredients and traditional cheese-making techniques to deliver exceptional flavors. Distribution is available through Lekker Food Distributors, Gordon Foods Services and select distributors across Western Canada and Ontario.

Media Contact: Media Contact Person’s Anyssa Jane – General Manager, Natural Pastures Cheese cheese@naturalpastures.com 250-334-4422

https://www.assistexpo.ca/results/rawf/5/803

For other results:

2023 Goat, Sheep, Water Buffalo & Mixed Variety Cheese Competition
Show Results – The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair – 2023 (assistexpo.ca)

It has won Gold/ 1. Place in the category of Feta or Feta Style – Natural with or without brining