Andy Montoya
Transylvanian cave cheese is a seasonal treat, stocked by Aldi around Halloween. It is a hard, cows' milk cheese, aged in salt caves in Transylvania, Romania. The cheese has a waxy rind, a sharp salty tang, and a slightly darker rind. Its taste has been described as starting out milky and sweet, before finishing with a nutty tang and some salt. It pairs well with apples, pears, and tomatoes, and can be grated over pasta or salad.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | Firm, slightly greasy |
| Colour | Pale yellow |
| Rind | Darker |
| Flavour | Milky, slightly sweet, tangy, nutty, salty |
| Aroma | Sharp, salty |
| Food pairing | Pears, apples, tomatoes, pasta, crackers, prosciutto, grapes, apple slices |
| Type of milk | Cow's milk |
| Cave | Salt cave |
| Season | Seasonal treat for Halloween |
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What You'll Learn
- Transylvanian cave cheese is a seasonal treat, sold around Halloween
- It is a hard, cows' milk cheese with a waxy rind and a slightly darker rind
- It has a nutty, tangy flavour with some saltiness
- It is best paired with fruits like apples, grapes or tomatoes
- It is rumoured to have originated in a cave in the commune of Taga, Transylvania
Transylvanian cave cheese is a seasonal treat, sold around Halloween
The taste is described as slightly sweet and tangy, with a sharp, salty tang. It starts out milky and nutty, with some savoury notes, and finishes with a funky, sour, salty kick. The texture is firm, with a slight greasiness that doesn't linger. It is best enjoyed at room temperature to truly savour the flavour.
This cheese is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in many ways. It pairs well with fruits like apples, pears, and grapes, and can be crumbled over salads or pasta for a warmer meal. It also makes a great snack on its own or with crackers and prosciutto. For a spooky Halloween treat, try this cheese with some Vampire Wine and a horror movie.
Transylvanian cave cheese is a unique and delicious seasonal offering, perfect for Halloween parties and a great addition to any cheese board. It is an excellent choice for those who love to explore new cheeses and is often quite affordable and accessible. So, this Halloween, why not indulge in some Transylvanian cave cheese and discover its mysterious and tasty delights?
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It is a hard, cows' milk cheese with a waxy rind and a slightly darker rind
Transylvanian Romanian cave cheese is a hard, cow's milk cheese with a waxy rind and a slightly darker rind. It is a seasonal treat, often marketed for Halloween. The cheese is aged in salt caves, which gives it a sharp, salty tang. It has a firm, pale yellow appearance with a consistent colour throughout. The texture is slightly greasy, and it has a slight sweetness with some salt notes.
The cheese is best enjoyed without anything salted, as the sharp, salty tang is the strong note. It pairs well with pears or apples, and can be crumbled over heirloom tomatoes. It can also be grated over pasta or salad, or enjoyed in slices with crackers, prosciutto, grapes or apple slices.
Transylvanian Romanian cave cheese has an interesting history. According to legend, it originated when a cruel and wealthy count's cheese was stolen by starving villagers and hidden in a local cave. When the cheese was retrieved, it had changed colour from white to reddish-yellow and had acquired a funky smell. Despite this, it was still delicious, and the count took the cave to use for ageing his cheese.
The cheese is a good buy at around $8 a pound and can be found at Aldi, although it can be hard to get hold of as it is only on sale seasonally. It is a great addition to any cheese board, especially for a Halloween party, and its mysterious origins make it a fun talking point.
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It has a nutty, tangy flavour with some saltiness
Transylvanian cave cheese is a treat for cheese lovers. It is a seasonal treat, usually marketed around Halloween. The cheese is aged in salt caves, giving it a unique flavour profile.
The cheese has a nutty, tangy flavour with some saltiness. It has a slightly sweet and milky start, with a nutty tang finish. The saltiness is not overpowering, but rather adds a sharp, salty tang that lingers. The texture is firm, with a slight greasiness that does not linger, making it perfect for snacking on in slices or crumbling over pasta or salad.
Transylvanian cave cheese is a hard, cows' milk cheese with a waxy rind and no mould or bacteria. It has a very clean" flavour, with a slight caramelly taste and a darker area about half an inch inward from the surface. The interior is firm and milky, with a sharp, tangy finish. This cheese is quite versatile and can be enjoyed on its own, in cooking, or as part of a cheese board.
When it comes to pairing, Transylvanian cave cheese goes well with fruits like pears, apples, and grapes, as well as crackers and prosciutto. For a warmer option, it can be grated over pasta or salad, adding a savoury and nutty flavour. The cheese also works well with tomatoes, providing a nice contrast of flavours.
Overall, Transylvanian cave cheese offers a unique taste experience with its nutty, tangy, and slightly salty flavour. It is a delicious addition to any cheese lover's repertoire and a great find for those looking to explore new flavours.
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It is best paired with fruits like apples, grapes or tomatoes
Transylvanian cave cheese is a seasonal treat that is best enjoyed without anything salted. The sharp salty tang of this cheese is its defining characteristic, so it should be paired with fruits like apples, grapes or tomatoes. For instance, crumbling it over the last of your heirloom tomatoes is a great way to savour this cheese.
Transylvanian cave cheese also goes well with pears and Honeycrisp apples. It can be grated over pasta or salad, or enjoyed as slices with crackers, prosciutto, grapes or apple slices. It has a slight greasiness on the tongue that does not linger. While it is aged in a salt cave, it is not overwhelmingly salty. The taste profile is milky with a slight sweetness, which turns into a nutty tang finish with some salt notes throughout.
Transylvanian cave cheese is a hard, cows' milk cheese with a waxy rind and no mould or bacteria. It is aged long enough to have a slightly caramely flavour and a darker area extending about half an inch inward from the surface. The interior is firm, milky, slightly sweet at first taste, and quite tangy on the finish. It has enough flavour, sharpness and acid to be a solidly enjoyable cheese.
Transylvanian cave cheese is quite useful on its own or in cooking. It is tasty and unique, with a good price point. It is also sometimes soaked in red wine, making it a perfect snack for Halloween.
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It is rumoured to have originated in a cave in the commune of Taga, Transylvania
It is rumoured that Transylvanian Cave Cheese, or Năsal, originated in a cave in the commune of Taga, Transylvania. According to local legend, a cruel and wealthy count once controlled the area, and his starving subjects were forced to steal his cheese and hide it in a local cave. When they returned for it, they found that it had changed from white to reddish-yellow and had developed a strong smell. Despite this, the cheese was delicious, and the count soon discovered the theft and claimed the cave for himself, using it to age his cheese.
This legend has persisted, and the cave in Taga, Romania, remains the only place in the world that produces this unique, soft cow's milk cheese. The cheese relies on the area's bacteria, which give it its distinctive flavour and smell. The process of ageing the cheese in salt caves also contributes to its salty notes.
Transylvanian Cave Cheese has a waxy rind with no mould or bacteria, resulting in a "clean" cheese. It is aged long enough to develop a slightly caramelly flavour, with a darker area about half an inch inward from the surface. The interior is firm, milky, and slightly sweet at first taste, with a tangy finish. The cheese has a sharp, salty tang and a nutty flavour.
Transylvanian Cave Cheese has been marketed as a Halloween treat, with its packaging featuring a cute bat and candelabra design. It is often sold under the Aldi Happy Farms brand and can be found in stores around Halloween. The cheese is a good buy, with a unique and tasty flavour, and it is quite useful in cooking or on its own.
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Frequently asked questions
Transylvanian cave cheese has a slightly sweet and nutty taste with some salt notes throughout. It has a sharp salty tang and a slightly caramely flavor.
Transylvanian cave cheese is aged in salt caves and has a waxy rind with no mold or bacteria. It is a very clean cheese with a unique taste and texture.
Transylvanian cave cheese is typically sold at Aldi under the brand name Happy Farms. It is a seasonal offering, usually available during Halloween.
