SOUTH AFRICAN GUERNSEYS
ARE IMPRESSIVE
There are some very interesting
and high quality Guernsey herds in South Africa. Guernseys adapt
well to the varying climatic conditions and farming systems.
From irrigated pastures to what
many would describe as near desert conditions Guernseys thrive
and produce well.
One of the best managed and most
productive herds is found in Prins Albert, a small town at the
foot of the Swartberg Pass in the Little Karoo, the Cape hinterland.
Gay's Guernsey Dairy not only has some of the finest Guernseys
in the country, it has also won many major South African and
international awards for its its high quality cheeses all made
from unpasteurised milk and guaranteed free from hormones, antibiotics,
colouring and preservatives. The dairy, which is owned by Gay
van Hasselt, also sells milk, amasi*, fat free yoghurts and feta
cheese.
In Gay's Guernsey Dairy
cheese room you can taste cheeses whose name reflect the local
heritage:
Prince Albert royal.
Prince Albert Regal and Queen Victoria.
The Shangrila Guernsey Herd
owned by Gay van Hasselt
supplies the dairy with high quality milk. A visit to the milking
parlour is an education in itself. Staff are highly trained in
every aspect of cow management with hygene and attention to detail
clearly evident. The herd boasts some of the finest Guernsey
genetics.
SHANGRILA LEWIS' EMILY
Sire: TROTACRE ENHANCER LEWIS-ET
South African Breeding Value: +762M +26.0F +26.4P -0.16%F 0.00%P
*AMASI or MAAS
Amasi is a traditional fermented (sour) milk drink of the
indigenous people of South Africa.
Amasi is also known as "maas", which is believed
to come from the Zulu name for sour milk, 'amaswi'. This product
is traditionally made in clay pots and calabashes. Milk is added
to the container at regular intervals. The bacteria on the surface
of the container serve as a starter culture.
In modern processing maas is refered to as "cultured
milk". A freeze-dried culture is added to the milk and then
fermented "soured" until it reaches a certain level
of acidity (sourness). Maas has a smooth texture and a slightly
sour taste. Full cream milk is used to make amasi.
As with all other dairy products, amasi is very healthy. It
is packed with vitamin A and proteins that the body needs to
function well and stay healthy. The fat content makes it a very
effective way to enrich any eating plan. It is also very effective
against infections and can be applied to a wound or infected
area to relieve itching and thrush.
Amasi is packed with carbohydrates and is a superb energy
drink for athletes. Over weight people should drink low fat amasi.
Amasi can be drunk plain or with added sugar or fruit juice.
It can also be mixed with mashed potato.
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