Bread Cheese: What Kind Of Cheese Is This?

Bread cheese, otherwise known as juustoleipä, is a unique Scandinavian cheese originating from Finland. It is a semi-soft cheese, traditionally made with reindeer milk, but American cheesemakers have since adapted the recipe to use pasteurized cow's milk. The cheese is pressed into blocks and dried, giving it a very long shelf life. When heated, bread cheese becomes soft and pliable, and can be served with honey, jam, or syrup.

Bread cheese is made from reindeer, goat, or cow's milk

Bread cheese, also known as juustoleipä, is a Finnish squeaky cheese. It is traditionally made with reindeer milk, but American cheesemakers have adapted the original recipe to create a version made with cow's milk. This cow's milk variant is the type most commonly found in stores in America. In its birthplace in northern Finland, juustoleipä is made with goat or reindeer milk, or the very rich milk from a cow that has just calved.

The process of making bread cheese involves adding rennet to milk until curds form. These curds are then pressed into a loaf, like feta, and grilled to create a dappled effect. The cheese maintains its shape due to the lack of active cultures in the rennet, only softening in the middle. It also does not age, which contributes to its squeakiness.

The natural flavour of bread cheese is mild and buttery. However, when toasted or grilled, the outside becomes crisp, and it takes on a grilled cheese-like quality without the need for bread. This has earned it the nickname "grilled cheese without the bread". In Finland, it is common to eat the cheese for breakfast, dunking it in coffee or covering it in maple syrup, honey, or jam. In America, it is often served with savoury additions like garlic and jalapeño.

Bread cheese is a versatile food that can be grilled, toasted, skewered, fried, or served cold. It pairs well with sweet accompaniments like honey, jam, maple syrup, or fruit preserves, as well as savoury additions like garlic and jalapeño. Its high melting point makes it suitable for grilling or frying without losing its shape.

It's a Finnish cheese with a long shelf life

Bread cheese, also known as juustoleipä, leipäjuusto, or squeaky cheese, is indeed a Finnish cheese with a long shelf life. It is a semi-soft or firm cheese that is traditionally made with reindeer milk but can also be made with goat's milk or the very rich milk from a cow that has just calved. In the United States, it is commonly made with pasteurized cow's milk.

The process of making bread cheese involves adding rennet to milk to form curds, which are then pressed into blocks or loaf shapes and grilled or baked. This grilling or baking process is what gives bread cheese its characteristic toasted appearance and crust. The sugars on the outside of the cheese caramelize during heating, resulting in a crust that resembles brown bread. This crust is what gives the cheese its name, as "juustoleipä" or "leipäjuusto" literally translates to "cheese bread" in Finnish.

The unique characteristic of bread cheese is that it does not melt easily due to its low moisture and fat content. Instead, it softens and becomes pliable when heated, making it ideal for grilling or frying. It also has a long shelf life, lasting up to several years, thanks to its low moisture content. This feature, along with its mild, salty, and buttery flavor, makes it a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, both sweet and savoury.

In Finland, bread cheese is commonly eaten for breakfast, dunked in coffee or served with maple syrup, honey, or jam. It can also be enjoyed as a dessert or snack. In the United States, bread cheese has gained popularity as a gluten-free alternative to grilled cheese sandwiches and is often served with sweet or savoury toppings, such as honey, fruit jam, or herbs. The cheese's ability to maintain its shape when heated makes it a versatile ingredient that can be grilled, fried, or toasted without losing its form.

Bread cheese has become a beloved cheese around the world, with its unique texture, flavour, and long shelf life making it a favourite among cheese enthusiasts. Its Finnish origins and traditional preparation methods have contributed to its recognition as an authentic and delightful cheese.

It's also known as juustoleipä, leipäjuusto, or squeaky cheese

Bread cheese, also known as juustoleipä, leipäjuusto, or squeaky cheese, is a Finnish classic. The name, juustoleipä, literally means "cheese bread" in Finnish. It is a semi-soft cheese traditionally made with reindeer milk, but several American cheesemakers have started to use pasteurized cow's milk.

The cheese is made by adding rennet to milk until curds form. The curds are then pressed into a loaf, like feta, and grilled to create a dappled effect. As there are no active cultures in the cheese, only rennet, it maintains its shape when heated, only softening in the middle. The lack of acidity means it doesn't collapse into a melted mess. It also doesn't age, which is why it squeaks like a cheese curd.

In its natural state, bread cheese has a mild and buttery flavour. However, when toasted or grilled, the outside becomes crisp, and it can be eaten like a grilled cheese sandwich without the bread. In Wisconsin, they add savoury flavours like garlic and jalapeño. In Finland, it is often eaten for breakfast, dunked in coffee, or covered in maple syrup, honey, or jam.

Bread cheese can be served cold, in slices or chunks, and it will have a distinctive "squeak" when you bite into it. But it is also commonly heated in a pan or on a grill, creating a warm, creamy treat. It won't melt, but it will soften, and it goes well with sweet toppings like honey or jam.

It can be grilled, fried, or baked

Bread cheese, also known as juustoleipä, leipäjuusto, or squeaky cheese, is a versatile cheese that can be grilled, fried, or baked. While it is commonly associated with Finnish cuisine, it has gained popularity in other parts of the world, including the United States, as a delicious and unique cheese option.

When it comes to grilling bread cheese, it is important to note that it holds its shape well even when heated. This makes it ideal for throwing on the grill at your next cookout. You can grill it until it's heated through and glossy, and then slice it into strips or cubes. The grilled bread cheese can be served as-is or skewered and paired with preserves or a dip as an appetizer.

As for frying bread cheese, it can be pan-fried or sautéed. The cheese will not melt but will soften, resulting in a pleasantly chewy texture. Frying bread cheese is a great way to achieve a crispy, golden brown exterior while retaining its shape. You can cut the cheese into strips or cubes before frying and serve it as a snack or appetizer.

Baking bread cheese is an essential part of the cheesemaking process. During baking, the sugars on the outside of the cheese caramelize, forming a tasty crust similar to brown bread. This baked cheese can be served warm, dunked in coffee, or paired with maple syrup, honey, or jam for breakfast. It can also be offered as a dessert with a topping of jam or other sweet condiments.

Whether grilled, fried, or baked, bread cheese offers a range of culinary possibilities. Its mild, salty, or buttery flavour and chewy texture make it a versatile ingredient that can be paired with sweet or savoury accompaniments. The cheese's ability to hold its shape when heated makes it a unique and interesting option for various dishes.

It's served with honey, jam, or dipped in coffee

Bread cheese is a Finnish cheese called Juustoleipä, which is traditionally made with reindeer milk and dipped in coffee. It gets its name from the way it is made—cheese curds are pressed into bread-sized blocks and baked in special ovens until the sugars on the outside are caramelized, resulting in a block of cheese that resembles a piece of toasted bread.

Bread cheese is often served warm and can be prepared in a variety of ways, including baking, broiling, grilling, microwaving, or pan-frying. Once the cheese is ready, it can be enjoyed in several ways, including dipping it in coffee, honey, or jam.

When dipping bread cheese in coffee, it is recommended to cut the cheese into sticks or squares and warm it up by stirring it into a fresh cup of hot coffee. This traditional method of enjoying bread cheese combines the mild and buttery flavours of the cheese with the warmth and bitterness of the coffee, creating a unique and indulgent taste experience.

For those with a sweet tooth, drizzling honey over bread cheese is a delicious option. The salty and savoury notes of the cheese complement the sweetness of the honey, creating a delightful contrast of flavours. The honey can be drizzled over the warm cheese, allowing it to melt and blend seamlessly with each bite.

Similarly, serving bread cheese with jam offers a sweet and fruity contrast to the savoury cheese. The jam can be spread over the warm cheese or served as a dip on the side, adding a burst of flavour to every bite. The Wisconsin Cheese company specifically recommends pairing bread cheese with homemade strawberry-rhubarb jam for a truly exceptional taste experience.

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