Grass fed milk products taste cheesy?

[wagamama]

We are living in Ethiopia at the moment and the milk products here -- milk, cream, butter -- have a very pungent, cheesy taste. I asked some local people why that is, and they said it is because the cows eat grass. But i have had grass-fed milk in other countries that did not taste cheesy. Also, I know that not all cows are purely grass fed here -- many are given supplemental feed these days, grains and so on. I'm thinking myabe it's a particular item in their feed -- a kind of leaf or herb?

[gardenmommy]

Maybe it is the breed of cow?  Or perhaps a particular herb or vegetation local to the cows?  I wonder if the milk is being chilled down quickly enough and kept cold enough.  Sometimes, not being chilled quickly enough or kept cold enough (or if there are fluctuating temps in the cold storage) the milk can develop a stronger flavor.

[hollydolls]

Yes, it could be an herb or grass they are eating. The items could also be slightly soured by the time they get to you (depending on what cheese you think they taste like, of course).