Patrick Oconnell
Butterkäse, or butter cheese in German, is a semi-soft cow's milk cheese known for its buttery flavour, appearance, and creamy texture. It is moderately popular in Germanic Europe and is produced mainly in Germany, with some production in Wisconsin. The mild taste of Butterkäse is due to its brief aging time and makes it a versatile cheese that can be melted, sliced, or spread. It is a good match with ground beef and is often used in grilled cheese sandwiches, mac and cheese, and pizzas.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Flavour | Mild, buttery, salty, acidic |
| Taste | Similar to Mozzarella, St. Paulin, Muenster, Gouda, Havarti |
| Texture | Semi-soft, smooth, creamy, spreadable |
| Appearance | Pale, light, white to light yellow-orange, golden rind |
| Fat Content | 50% |
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What You'll Learn
Texture and appearance
Butterkäse, also known as "butter cheese", is a semi-soft cheese with a smooth and creamy texture. It is a cow's milk cheese that is known for its buttery flavour and appearance. The colour of the cheese ranges from white to light yellow-orange. It is often described as mild due to its brief ageing time and has a fat content of 50%. The texture of Butterkäse can vary from firm to nearly spreadable, depending on the cheesemaker. It has a golden rind and is traditionally produced near the Swiss border in Germany and Austria.
The cheese is said to be exceptionally versatile and is commonly used in grilled cheese sandwiches, fondue, omelettes, and burgers. It is also a popular melting cheese and can be added to mac and cheese, pizzas, and quesadillas. Butterkäse can be sliced, cubed, or melted, making it a perfect table cheese. It is often served on a platter with meats, fruits, pickles, olives, and sourdough bread.
The cheese is also used in dessert recipes such as cheese mousses, custards, and even cheese ice cream. Its mild flavour allows it to blend well with other sweet ingredients, creating a unique dessert experience. When using Butterkäse in desserts, balancing its flavour with the sweetness of other ingredients is crucial.
In terms of appearance, Butterkäse typically has a pale colour with a few holes and no distinct odour. It is a young cheese, ripening in just one month, and is known for its mild, approachable flavour. It is said to melt in your mouth, contributing to its popularity as a snack cheese.
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Taste and flavour
Butterkäse, which translates to "butter cheese" in German, is a semi-soft cow's milk cheese known for its buttery flavour and creamy texture. The cheese, which first appeared in 1928, is produced in Germany, Austria, and Wisconsin, USA. It is often described as mild, with a light colour ranging from white to light yellow-orange. The softness and mildly salty or acidic flavour is comparable to Muenster or Gouda cheeses, and its taste can be related to Mozzarella and St. Paulin. The texture of Butterkäse is smooth and creamy, sometimes spreadable, depending on the desired firmness of the cheese maker. It is a versatile cheese that can be sliced, spread, or melted, making it a popular choice for sandwiches, grilled cheese, pizzas, or fondue.
The flavour of Butterkäse is described as mild, buttery, and mellow, with a subtle sourness. It is known for its high fat content, which can reach up to 50%, contributing to its rich and decadent mouthfeel. The cheese is said to melt in your mouth, enhancing its creamy texture. Its mild flavour makes it a versatile ingredient that can be used in various dishes without overpowering other components. It is an excellent pairing option for meats, fruits, pickles, olives, and sourdough bread.
When used in cooking, Butterkäse is an ideal melting cheese that can be added to grilled cheese sandwiches, fondue, omelettes, burgers, mac and cheese, and pizza. Its mild flavour allows it to blend well with other cheeses, such as cheddar, Gruyère, or mozzarella, without overwhelming their taste. The cheese's smooth and creamy texture also makes it a suitable topping for crackers or crostini, comparable to Brie or Camembert.
In addition to savoury applications, Butterkäse can be utilised in sweet dishes as well. Its mild flavour profile lends itself to dessert creations such as cheese mousses, custards, or even cheese ice cream. The cheese's subtle sweetness can complement and enhance other sweet ingredients in unique dessert experiences. However, when incorporating Butterkäse into desserts, it is essential to carefully consider the overall flavour balance to ensure that the sweetness of the other ingredients does not overpower its delicate flavour.
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Origins and history
Butterkäse, or "butter cheese", is a semi-soft cheese with a natural golden rind, popular in Germany and Austria. It is produced in Landhaus using traditional German methods and is aged very briefly, resulting in a mild taste and flavour. The cheese has a fat content of around 50% and is known for its creamy texture and buttery taste. It is also called "damenkäse" or "ladies cheese" because it is delicately flavoured and odourless.
The exact origins of Butterkäse are unclear, but it is traditionally made near the Swiss border in Germany and in Austria, where it is enjoyed equally. The cheese is said to have been introduced to the United States by German immigrants to Wisconsin, who made the cheese in the true Alpine tradition. Today, Butterkäse can be found in specialty cheese shops and upscale grocery stores, as well as online. It is also available at some chain supermarkets, such as Whole Foods and Boar's Head, which offers its own version.
Butterkäse is a very versatile cheese and can be sliced, spread, or melted, making it a perfect table cheese. It is commonly used in grilled cheese sandwiches, pizzas, mac and cheese, and fondue. It can also be added to recipes such as stuffed chicken breast, salads, and Spätzle. The cheese pairs well with nuts and fruits and can be enjoyed with a glass of beer.
With its rich, creamy texture and buttery taste, Butterkäse has become a popular choice for those seeking a versatile cheese that is both refreshing and sophisticated. Its mild flavour makes it accessible to a wide range of palates, including children, while its subtle nuances add a touch of elegance to any dish.
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Similar cheeses
Butterkäse is a semi-soft cow's milk cheese with a creamy texture and a buttery taste. It is a German cheese, with some production also taking place in Wisconsin, USA. It is a young cheese, with a brief aging time, and has a mild, approachable flavour. Its texture is smooth and creamy, and it is often sliceable, spreadable, and meltable. Its mellow, buttery taste makes it a versatile cheese that can be used in grilled cheese sandwiches, omelettes, burgers, mac and cheese, and pizzas. It is also used in cheese-based desserts like mousses, custards, and ice cream.
- Muenster or Gouda: These cheeses are similar in softness and mildly salty or acidic flavour to Butterkäse.
- Mozzarella and St. Paulin: These cheeses have a taste similar to Butterkäse.
- Havarti: Butterkäse is described as a more complex, nuanced version of Havarti.
- Monterey Jack: This cheese is mentioned as being closer in taste to Brick cheese, which is mentioned in the same breath as Butterkäse.
- Limburger: German-style Brick cheese is said to be similar to Limburger.
- Bel Paese: Butterkäse first appeared in 1928 as a variant of this Italian cheese.
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Recipes and uses
Butterkäse is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of recipes and dishes. Its mild, buttery flavour and creamy texture make it a great melting cheese. Here are some specific recipes and uses for Butterkäse:
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Butterkäse can be used in grilled cheese sandwiches, either on its own or combined with stronger-flavoured cheeses like cheddar or Gruyère. Its meltability and mild flavour make it an ideal choice for a gooey, cheesy sandwich.
Fondue
Add Butterkäse to a traditional fondue pot for a creamy, buttery twist on this classic dish. Its meltability and mild flavour will complement a variety of dippers, from bread cubes to vegetables.
Omelettes
Cubes of Butterkäse can be folded into an omelette, adding a creamy texture and mellow flavour. Its mildness also makes it a good choice for a frittata or quiche, where it won't overpower the other ingredients.
Pizza
Butterkäse can be sprinkled onto pizza dough, either on its own or combined with other toppings like pancetta, garlic, and basil. Its meltability and mild flavour make it a versatile choice for pizza.
Burgers
Top a burger with a slice of Butterkäse for a decadent, gooey layer. Its buttery flavour pairs especially well with ground beef patties.
Mac and Cheese
Melt Butterkäse into mac and cheese for an extra creamy and rich dish. Its mild flavour will complement the sharpness of cheddar or other traditional mac and cheese cheeses.
Appetizers and Cheese Trays
Butterkäse's soft texture and mild flavour make it a great choice for cheese trays, crackers, or crostini. Its spreadability also makes it ideal for cheese dips or spreads.
Desserts
Due to its mild flavour, Butterkäse can be used in dessert recipes like cheese mousses, custards, or even cheese ice cream. Its buttery flavour can complement sweet ingredients, creating unique dessert options.
Traditional German Dishes
Butterkäse has been used for centuries in German dishes like spaetzle and strudel. Its meltability and mild flavour make it a versatile ingredient in both savoury and sweet German cuisine.
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Frequently asked questions
Butterkase cheese has a mild salty or acidic flavour with a buttery taste and a creamy texture.
The name Butterkase translates to "butter cheese" in German.
The texture of Butterkase is smooth and creamy, sometimes nearly spreadable depending on the desired firmness of the cheese maker.
Butterkase cheese is traditionally made near the Swiss border in Germany and Austria.
Butterkase is a very versatile cheese. It can be used in grilled cheese sandwiches, pizzas, burgers, mac and cheese, and even desserts like cheese mousses, custards, or cheese ice cream.
