Frederic Melton
Emmental, also known as Emmenthal, Emmentaler, or Emmenthaler, is a semi-hard Swiss cheese with a nutty, buttery flavour. It is known for its excellent melting properties due to its low moisture content and high melting point, making it ideal for achieving a gooey, melty texture. Its smooth texture and mellow flavour make it a versatile cheese that can be used in fondues, gratins, casseroles, grilled cheese sandwiches, pasta, and egg dishes. Emmental's melting abilities are attributed to its pH level, which gives it the perfect melting point, resulting in a stringy yet shape-holding consistency.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Melting properties | Excellent melting properties |
| Texture | Semi-hard |
| Taste | Mellow, buttery, nutty, fruity, full-flavored |
| Salt content | Less salt than most cheeses |
| Uses | Fondue, gratins, casseroles, sandwiches, sauces, baking, hot sandwich filling, egg-based dishes, soups, salads, pasta, pizza, cheese board |
| Substitutes | Gruyère, raclette, fontina |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Emmental is a semi-hard Swiss cheese with a nutty, buttery flavour
- It has excellent melting qualities due to its moisture content and high melting point
- It's often used in fondue, gratins, sandwiches, sauces, casseroles, and quiches
- Emmental is a versatile cheese that can be melted in a pan or added directly to dishes
- It can be paired with cured meats, fruits, and nuts, or enjoyed on its own
Emmental is a semi-hard Swiss cheese with a nutty, buttery flavour
Emmental, also known as Emmenthal, Emmentaler, or Emmenthaler, is a semi-hard Swiss cheese with a nutty, buttery flavour. It is made from cow's milk and has a firm, dense body and a hard, inedible rind. Its origins have been traced to the 13th-century canton of Bern, making it Switzerland's oldest known cheese.
Despite its semi-hard texture, Emmental has excellent melting qualities. It is known for its smooth, creamy melt and is often used in fondues, gratins, and sandwiches. Its low moisture content and high melting point make it ideal for achieving a gooey, melty texture. Emmental can be melted in a pan on the stovetop, allowing for temperature control to avoid burning. Pre-grating, shredding, or cubing the cheese can help ensure even melting.
Emmental's nutty, buttery flavour complements most cured meats, such as Genoa salami, prosciutto Crudo, soppressata, chorizo, or pepperoni. It is commonly used in hot sandwiches, grilled cheese, paninis, and classic Swiss dishes like fondue. The cheese can also be baked into casseroles, quiches, and pasta bakes, or added as a flavouring ingredient in soups, salads, pasta, and pizza.
When storing Emmental, it is recommended to wrap it in waxed or parchment paper and place it in a zip-close bag or plastic container in the refrigerator. This cheese can be kept refrigerated for up to six weeks and frozen for up to three months with minimal effect on its flavour and texture.
Cheese: Healthy or Harmful?
You may want to see also
It has excellent melting qualities due to its moisture content and high melting point
Emmental cheese, also known as Emmenthal, Emmentaler, or Emmenthaler, is a semi-hard Swiss cheese made from cow's milk. It has a nutty, buttery flavour and is known for its excellent melting qualities.
The cheese's unique melting abilities can be attributed to its moisture content and high melting point. While it has a semi-hard texture, Emmental melts easily and smoothly, rarely developing any lumps. Its low moisture content and high melting point make it ideal for achieving a gooey, melty texture, perfect for dishes like fondue, gratins, and sandwiches.
The key to unlocking Emmental's melting potential lies in its moisture content. A cheese's melt quality is greatly influenced by its moisture content, fat content, age, and acidity. Cheeses that are moist and fatty tend to melt better. Emmental, despite its semi-hard texture, has just the right amount of moisture to facilitate easy melting.
Additionally, the cheese's high melting point contributes to its excellent melting qualities. The high melting point allows the cheese to withstand higher temperatures without burning or becoming grainy. This makes it ideal for cooking applications where heat control might be a challenge. By melting slowly on low heat, Emmental retains its smooth texture and tasty flavour.
Emmental's versatility in melting has made it a popular choice for various dishes. It is commonly used in fondue, gratins, casseroles, grilled cheese sandwiches, pasta, and egg dishes. Its smooth melt and mellow flavour enhance the taste and texture of these dishes.
Cheese and Osteoarthritis: A Healthy Pairing?
You may want to see also
It's often used in fondue, gratins, sandwiches, sauces, casseroles, and quiches
Emmental cheese is often used in fondue, gratins, sandwiches, sauces, casseroles, and quiches. Its semi-hard texture, low moisture content, and high melting point make it ideal for achieving a gooey, melty texture. It is a versatile cheese that can be melted in a pan on the stove-top or added directly to dishes, where it will melt smoothly without developing lumps.
Emmental cheese is a traditional Swiss cheese, known for its unique taste and melting ability. It is made from cow's milk and has a nutty, buttery flavour that pairs well with cured meats and fruits. The cheese is aged for at least four months, and its melting properties make it a key ingredient in Swiss cuisine.
In terms of dishes, Emmental is commonly used in fondue, where its smooth texture and melting qualities create a rich and creamy consistency. It is also popular in gratins, casseroles, and quiches, adding a mellow flavour and smooth texture to these baked dishes. For sandwiches, both hot and cold, Emmental's melting abilities make it a favourite, especially when paired with meats and vegetables to create a classic grilled cheese or panini.
Emmental is also used in sauces, where its ability to melt smoothly without lumps makes it ideal for creating a creamy and cohesive sauce. Its mild flavour makes it a versatile ingredient that can be used in various savoury and sweet dishes, including casseroles, pasta bakes, and even desserts, such as apple pie.
Cheese and Teriyaki: A Match Made in Heaven?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Emmental is a versatile cheese that can be melted in a pan or added directly to dishes
Emmental cheese is a versatile cheese with excellent melting qualities. It is a semi-hard Swiss cheese made from cow's milk with a nutty, buttery flavour. Its unique taste and melting ability make it a key ingredient in Swiss cuisine.
Emmental cheese can be melted in a pan or added directly to dishes. When melting in a pan, it is important to control the temperature to avoid burning the cheese. The cheese melts easily and smoothly, rarely developing any lumps. To further avoid lumps of unmelted cheese, it is recommended to grate, shred, or cube the cheese before adding it to a dish.
Emmental cheese is often used in fondues, gratins, and sandwiches. Its low moisture content and high melting point make it ideal for achieving a gooey, melty texture. It is also a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches, as it has a perfect balance of water and fat, contributing to its smooth and creamy texture when melted.
In addition to melting, Emmental cheese can be used in a variety of dishes, including baking, casseroles, quiches, pasta bakes, hot sandwich fillings, and egg-based dishes like omelettes and frittatas. Its mellow flavour pairs well with cured meats and makes a great addition to cheese boards, especially as a dessert cheese paired with fruits and nuts.
Chopped Cheese: Delicious or Disgusting?
You may want to see also
It can be paired with cured meats, fruits, and nuts, or enjoyed on its own
Emmental cheese, also known as Emmenthal, Emmentaler, and Emmenthaler, is a Swiss cheese with a semi-hard texture and excellent melting qualities. Its nutty, buttery, and fruity flavour makes it a versatile cheese that can be paired with cured meats, fruits, and nuts, or enjoyed on its own.
When it comes to cured meats, Emmental pairs well with a variety of options. Delicate meats such as Genoa salami and prosciutto Crudo are optimal pairings as they balance out the cheese's flavour. However, it can also be paired with more robust and spicy cured meats like soppressata, chorizo, or pepperoni. For those who enjoy a simple ham and cheese sandwich, Emmental is a great choice, adding a subtle cheesiness to the salty ham.
Fruits and berries that are firm and slightly tart, such as pears, apples, and berries, complement Emmental's flavour profile. Its mellow, nutty, and buttery notes create a well-rounded cheese course when paired with these fruits.
Emmental can also be enjoyed on its own, and many appreciate its subtle flavour and cheesiness. Its versatility allows it to be consumed in various ways, from snacking to cooking. Some prefer it melted or fried, while others enjoy it straight or with bread.
In terms of cooking, Emmental's melting qualities make it a popular choice for fondues, gratins, casseroles, quiches, and sandwiches. Its ability to melt smoothly without lumps enhances its versatility in various dishes.
Cheese and Gastric: A Healthy Pairing?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Emmental cheese is known for its excellent melting properties. It is often used in fondues, gratins, and sandwiches.
Emmental, also known as Emmenthal, Emmentaler, or Emmenthaler, is a semi-hard Swiss cow's milk cheese.
Emmental cheese has a nutty, buttery flavor. Its mellow but buttery and nutty flavor goes well with most cured meats.
Emmental cheese is often used in fondues, gratins, casseroles, quiches, and pasta bakes. It is also used as a hot sandwich filling and in egg-based dishes like omelets and frittatas.
Some other good melting cheeses include Gruyère, Fontina, Raclette, and Mozzarella.
