Bushra Griffith
Havarti is a semi-soft, mild, and creamy Danish cow's milk cheese with a buttery aroma and a slightly acidic taste. It is smooth, with no rind, and creamy to pale yellow in colour, with very small and irregular eyes. It is a very versatile cheese that can be sliced, grilled, or melted, making it perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches, quesadillas, pizzas, and casseroles. It pairs well with a wide variety of wines and beers, and is often flavoured with herbs, spices, or seeds.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | Semi-soft |
| Rind | No |
| Colour | Creamy to pale yellow |
| Aroma | Buttery |
| Flavour | Buttery, nutty, sweet, acidic, salty |
| Accompaniments | Apples, dried fruits, grapes, pears, whole-grain or whole-wheat bread, crackers, red wine, beer |
| Melting properties | Melts exceptionally well |
| Vegetarian | Yes |
| Country of origin | Denmark |
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What You'll Learn
- Havarti is a semi-soft, semi-hard, sliceable cheese with a creamy body
- It's mild, smooth, and buttery with a nutty aroma and a slightly sharp taste
- It's made from cow's milk and was created in Denmark in the mid-1800s
- It's a good melting cheese, making it perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches, quesadillas, and pizzas
- It pairs well with red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, as well as a variety of beers
Havarti is a semi-soft, semi-hard, sliceable cheese with a creamy body
Havarti is a versatile cheese that can be sliced, grilled, or melted. It is a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches, quesadillas, pizzas, and casseroles. It pairs well with various foods, such as apples, dried fruits, grapes, and whole-grain breads or crackers. It is also a good match for red wines like Beaujolais, cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, and merlot, as well as white wines like sauvignon blanc, riesling, and chardonnay.
The cheese has a high moisture content and a creamy, buttery texture, making it ideal for melting. When heated, it becomes soft and gooey, with a smooth consistency. This makes it a perfect choice for dishes like grilled cheese sandwiches, quesadillas, and pizzas. It is also a good option for stuffing chicken breasts or using in croissants and quiches.
Havarti is typically aged for about three months, but older cheeses can develop a saltier taste and a hazelnut flavour. The longer it is left at room temperature, the softer it becomes. The cheese is made by washing curds in fresh spring water, draining them, and then pressing them into cheese moulds. It is then brined and aged for a few months to a year, depending on the desired flavour and texture.
Havarti is a popular cheese that has become a staple in Danish cuisine and is enjoyed worldwide for its mild flavour and creamy texture. It is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes, making it a favourite among cheese lovers.
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It's mild, smooth, and buttery with a nutty aroma and a slightly sharp taste
Havarti is a mild, smooth, and buttery cheese with a nutty aroma and a slightly sharp taste. It is a semi-soft cow's milk cheese that originated in Denmark in the mid-1800s. The cheese is known for its creamy, buttery texture and mild, slightly acidic flavour. Its high moisture content makes it ideal for melting, and it is a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches, quesadillas, and pizzas.
The nutty aroma of Havarti can be attributed to the ageing process, as older cheeses tend to develop stronger tones of hazelnut. The taste of Havarti can range from mildly sweet to very sweet, with some describing it as similar to mozzarella. It is often sliced and served with apples, dried fruits, grapes, and pears, and pairs well with whole-grain bread or crackers.
While Havarti is produced mainly in Denmark, it is also made in other countries, including the United States, Canada, Finland, Poland, France, Australia, and New Zealand. The production process involves washing the curds in fresh spring water, draining them, and then pressing them into cheese molds. The cheese is then aged for a few months to a year, depending on the desired flavour and texture.
Havarti is a versatile cheese that can be sliced, grilled, or melted, making it a popular choice for various dishes. It is known for its mild flavour and smooth texture, which makes it a crowd-pleaser at wine and cheese parties. Its nutty aroma and slightly sharp taste add a unique dimension to this Danish delicacy.
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It's made from cow's milk and was created in Denmark in the mid-1800s
Havarti is a semi-soft cheese made from cow's milk. It was created in Denmark in the mid-1800s by Hanne Nielson, a Danish woman who travelled around Europe to learn cheesemaking techniques. Upon her return to Denmark, she experimented with washing her curds in fresh spring water and created Havarti. The cheese is smooth, with no rind, and has a creamy to pale yellow colour. It has a buttery aroma and a mild, buttery, and slightly acidic taste. The stronger varieties can be sharper and nuttier, similar to Swiss cheese.
Havarti is a versatile cheese that can be sliced, grilled, or melted. It is often used in grilled cheese sandwiches, quesadillas, pizzas, casseroles, and other dishes that require melted cheese. It also pairs well with wines, such as Beaujolais, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Merlot. In terms of beer, Havarti goes well with lighter pilsners, saisons, sour ales, and stouts.
The cheese has become a staple in Danish cuisine and is widely produced in Denmark, with an annual production of 17,000 metric tons as of 2019. However, it is also produced in other countries, including the United States, Canada, Finland, Poland, France, Australia, and New Zealand. The name "Havarti" was given to the cheese in 1952, after Havartigården near Holte, where Hanne Nielson worked in the 19th century.
In 2019, the EU granted exclusive Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) rights to Denmark, allowing only cheese made from Danish milk and produced at approved dairies to be sold as "Havarti" in the EU and countries with which it has signed trade agreements. This decision was controversial, with some arguing that it was a form of protectionism by the EU to monopolise global trade in traditional European products.
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It's a good melting cheese, making it perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches, quesadillas, and pizzas
Havarti is a semi-soft cow's milk cheese that originated in Denmark. It has a creamy, pale yellow colour, a buttery aroma, and a mild, buttery taste with slight acidity. Its smooth, creamy texture and high moisture content make it an excellent melting cheese, and its versatility lends itself well to grilled cheese sandwiches, quesadillas, and pizzas.
When melted, Havarti becomes soft, gooey, and smooth, making it a perfect topping for dishes that require melted cheese. Its mild flavour and melting properties make it a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches. Simply pair slices of Havarti with your favourite bread and add optional toppings such as tomatoes, bacon, or avocado. For a unique twist on the classic grilled cheese, try using sourdough bread and Havarti infused with dill, a popular herb that complements the cheese's buttery flavour.
Havarti is also an excellent choice for quesadillas. Spread grated or sliced Havarti over tortillas, add your favourite fillings, and cook until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are crispy. For a sweet and savoury combination, try pairing Havarti with thinly sliced apples and a sprinkle of cinnamon. The mild flavour of Havarti also allows other ingredients to shine, making it a versatile choice for those who want to experiment with different flavour profiles in their quesadillas.
In addition to grilled cheese sandwiches and quesadillas, Havarti is a fantastic option for pizzas. Its melting properties ensure that it covers the pizza evenly, creating a gooey, cheesy delight. The mild flavour of Havarti also makes it a crowd-pleaser, appealing to those who prefer a less intense cheese experience. Whether you're crafting a simple Margherita or loading your pizza with toppings, Havarti is a reliable choice that will satisfy cheese lovers of all ages.
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It pairs well with red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, as well as a variety of beers
Havarti is a versatile cheese that pairs well with a variety of beverages, including red wines and beers. Its smooth, buttery flavour and mild, creamy texture make it a perfect match for full-bodied red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The richness of these wines complements the cheese's buttery notes, creating a harmonious pairing.
When it comes to red wines, Havarti also goes well with Pinot Noir and Beaujolais. These wines tend to have fruity and earthy notes that can enhance the cheese's subtle sweetness. For those who prefer their wines on the bolder side, a high-alcohol Zinfandel can stand up to Havarti's more intense, aged versions, which develop salty and hazelnut flavours.
Moving to white wines, Havarti's buttery character is beautifully complemented by a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a buttery Chardonnay. A slightly sweeter white wine like Riesling can also work well with Havarti, especially if the cheese is flavoured with herbs or spices.
But it's not just about wine; Havarti is incredibly versatile when it comes to beer pairings too. Its mild flavour profile makes it adaptable to a wide range of beer styles. From light pilsners and weiss beers to more robust saisons, sour ales, and even stouts, Havarti can hold its own. The carbonation and bitterness in beers provide a refreshing contrast to the cheese's creamy texture and buttery taste.
So, whether you're a wine connoisseur or a beer enthusiast, Havarti is a cheese that can elevate your drinking experience. Its mild, buttery character and smooth texture make it a versatile pairing option for a wide range of beverages, ensuring that your next wine and cheese party or beer and cheese night is a delightful success.
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Frequently asked questions
Havarti is a semi-soft cheese from Denmark, known for its buttery, mild flavour. It is made from cow's milk and has a creamy texture.
There are several cheeses that are similar to Havarti, including:
- Gouda
- Monterey Jack
- Tilsit
- Edam
- Port Salut
- Jarlsberg
- Young Cheddar
Miyoko's Creamery offers a range of vegan cheeses with a creamy, spreadable texture similar to Havarti.
Havarti is a great melting cheese, perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches or macaroni. Good substitutes for melting include:
- Monterey Jack
- Tilsit
- Port Salut
- Jarlsberg
- Young Cheddar
For a cheese board, you could try:
- Gouda
- Tilsit
- Edam
- Jarlsberg
- Young Cheddar
