Kalimpong is a beautiful hill station in West Bengal located at an elevation of 4101 ft. Surrounded by the eastern Himalayas, the weather, undoubtedly, is pleasant throughout the year; but the last few years have seen temperatures go up, and summers can get hot and humid like in the plains. However, evenings are cool and perfect for evening strolls. 

The sleepy little town is admired for its laidback atmosphere and nature. It’s also home to a wide variety of orchid, cactus, and ornamental plants, which can be enjoyed at its many nurseries. There are also a number of British colonial buildings that lend this town a historical charm such as Crookety House and Morgan House. 

An interesting fact about Kalimpong is that it was once known for its Swiss cheese, popularly called Kalimpong cheese. Ask any of the old inhabitants, and their eyes will light up when fondly reminiscing about the dairy cheese whose flavour still lingers at the back of the mind. 

SWISS MISSIONARIES AND CHEESE

Kalimpong cheese was introduced by Swiss missionaries in the 19th century. The Swiss Welfare Dairy was founded in the 1950s at 7th Mile, Kalimpong by Father Andre Butty. The dairy produced a semi-hard, holey, gouda-style cheese that became well-loved by the locals and much sought-after outside Kalimpong. 

Unfortunately, the dairy shut down by the mid-’70s due to mismanagement, and Kalimpong cheese became history. 

REVIVING THE HIMALAYAN CHEESE-MAKING CULTURE 

Love for the bygone Kalimpong cheese and community brought back Samuel Yonzon to his hometown of Kalimpong from Bangalore where he worked as a sound engineer. He has been making different types of cheese along with his partner but confesses that it’s nowhere close to the original Swiss-style cheese yet mainly because of the rising temperatures in Kalimpong and insufficient storage facilities. 

WHERE TO BUY CHEESE IN KALIMPONG

Till cheese makers like Yonzon perfect the art of making Swiss-type cheese, you can meanwhile buy cheese at places like Larks Provision at Shahid Dal Bahadur Giri Rd or at Yonzon’s brand store Healthilicious Kalimpong near Novelty Cinema. Another equally delicious treat is the lollipop, once produced by the Swiss Dairy, and now imitated by so many others, although the elderly folk swear it doesn’t hit the mark as before.