The Islamic Family Forum (FORKIS) of the Master of Business Administration Program, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada (MBA FEB UGM), held a special event titled Muslimpreneur: Inside Halal Dairy, with the theme “Unveiling the Ethical Process Behind Cheese Making”. The event took place on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at Mazaraat Artisan Cheese Factory. It provided an inspiring learning experience and offered new insights into how the cheese industry can be run in a halal, thayyib (pure and wholesome), and sustainable way.
Participants were taken on an immersive journey to observe the cheese-making process from start to finish—from fresh milk processing and mozzarella stretching to the aging room where cheeses are naturally matured.
Beyond observing, participants also had the opportunity to taste various artisan cheeses produced by Mazaraat, such as Bromo, Colby, Tomme, and Ibra—ranging from soft textures to bold flavors. As a bonus, each participant received a pack of Bromo Cheese to take home.
One participant shared their experience:
“I learned a lot of new things from this visit. The content was insightful, especially learning about Mazaraat’s sustainable business model. They source milk directly from local farmers to support their livelihoods, but face challenges in meeting high demand due to limited supply. What’s even more interesting is how they process whey waste into organic liquid fertilizer—truly a zero-waste system.”
Participants also witnessed firsthand the intricate mozzarella stretching technique, where temperature and method play a key role in determining the texture and taste of the final product.
“I never realized how precise the technique needs to be. And the best part? We got to taste the cheese right after,” another participant added.
The session concluded with an open discussion, highlighting how Mazaraat’s limited production capacity creates space for young Muslim entrepreneurs to take part in growing the ecosystem of halal, organic, and locally-sourced food products.
This event was not only enriching in knowledge, but also served as a platform for collaboration between halal industry players and youth who are passionate about building a more ethical and empowering value chain.
Reporter: Nafisya Haura
Editor: Ayu Aprilia
