Kamil Perry
Butterkäse, or 'butter cheese' in German, is a semi-soft cow's milk cheese known for its buttery flavour and creamy texture. It is traditionally made near the Swiss border in Germany and in Austria, but it is also produced in Wisconsin, USA, thanks to German immigrants in the area. In this introductory paragraph, we will explore the origins of butterkäse and how it is made.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | Germany |
| Other names | "Butter cheese", "ladies cheese" |
| Texture | Semi-soft |
| Rind | Golden |
| Fat content | 50% |
| Ripening time | One month |
| Taste | Buttery, mild, salty, acidic |
| Colour | White to light yellow-orange |
| Producers | Germany, Austria, Wisconsin |
| Availability | Specialty cheese shops, upscale grocery stores, Whole Foods, Boar's Head, igourmet, Amazon |
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What You'll Learn
Butterkase is made in Germany, Switzerland and Austria
Butterkase is also produced in Wisconsin, thanks to German immigrants in the area. It is often described as mild, partly due to its brief aging time. It is light in colour, ranging from white to light yellow-orange. The softness and mildly salty or acidic flavour is reminiscent of Muenster or Gouda cheeses.
The process of making Butterkase begins with cow's milk, which is then processed in specialised dairies through fermentation. Temperature control is vital, as the milk transforms into a semi-solid form. The curds are then pressed, cut, and left to soak in brine.
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It is also made in Wisconsin, USA
Butterkäse, or "butter cheese" in German, is a semi-soft cow's milk cheese known for its buttery flavour and creamy texture. Although it is primarily produced in Germany, it is also made in Wisconsin, USA. In fact, butterkäse is made in the true Alpine tradition in Wisconsin thanks to German immigrants in the area. It is often described as mild, partly due to its brief ageing time. It is light in colour, ranging from white to light yellow-orange. The softness and mildly salty or acidic flavour is reminiscent of Muenster or Gouda cheeses.
Butterkäse is now available in most speciality cheese shops and at plenty of upscale grocery stores. Whole Foods often carries it, and Boar's Head offers its own version at chain supermarkets. For a more premium style, you can order it online from places like igourmet or Amazon.
Exceptionally versatile, butterkäse is an ideal melting cheese. It can be used in grilled cheese sandwiches alongside stronger-flavoured cheeses like cheddar or Gruyère, added to a pot of fondue, or folded into an omelette.
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It is a semi-soft cow's milk cheese
Butterkäse is a semi-soft cow's milk cheese known for its buttery flavour and creamy texture. It is primarily produced in Germany, but it is also made in Austria and Wisconsin. The name, when translated from German, means "butter cheese", although the cheese is butter-free. It is also known as damenkäse or "ladies cheese" because it is odourless and delicately flavoured. It is made in the true Alpine tradition in Wisconsin thanks to German immigrants in the area.
The process of making butterkäse begins with cow's milk, which is an essential ingredient in making Swiss cheese. Swiss farmers are known for their high-quality dairy production and supply the milk that is used as the key aspect of butterkäse. To make butterkäse, the milk undergoes a process in specialised dairies through fermentation. Temperature control is vital, as the milk transforms into a semi-solid form when heating and cooling start. The curds are then pressed, cut, and left to soak in brine.
Butterkäse is aged for a very brief period, resulting in a mild taste and flavour. It ripens in just one month, making it a young, buttery snack cheese with a mild, approachable flavour reminiscent of American Muenster or Gouda cheeses. It has a fat content of 50 per cent and can be sliced, spread or melted, making it a perfect table cheese.
You can now find butterkäse in most speciality cheese shops and at plenty of upscale grocery stores, including Whole Foods and Boar's Head. For a more premium style, it can be ordered online from places like igourmet or Amazon. It is an exceptionally versatile cheese, making it ideal for melting. It can be used in grilled cheese sandwiches, added to a pot of fondue, or folded into an omelette.
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It has a creamy texture and a buttery taste
Butterkäse, or "butter cheese" in German, is a semi-soft cow's milk cheese known for its creamy texture and buttery taste. It is traditionally made near the Swiss border in Germany and in Austria, where it is loved for its mild flavour and delicate appearance. It is also called damenkäse or "ladies cheese" because it is odourless and has a mild, approachable flavour. Butterkäse has a fat content of 50 per cent, and it ripens in just one month, making it a young, buttery snack cheese.
The cheese is made through a specialised process in dairies, where milk is fermented and temperature-controlled to transform it into a semi-solid form. The curds are then pressed, cut, and left to soak in brine. This process results in a cheese that is perfect for slicing, spreading, or melting, making it a versatile table cheese.
While Butterkäse is primarily produced in Germany, it is also made in Wisconsin, USA, thanks to German immigrants in the area who brought the traditional Alpine cheese-making methods with them. Wisconsin Butterkäse is often described as mild due to its brief aging time, and it is light in colour, ranging from white to light yellow-orange. The softness and mildly salty or acidic flavour is reminiscent of Muenster or Gouda cheeses.
Today, Butterkäse can be found in most specialty cheese shops and upscale grocery stores, such as Whole Foods and Boar's Head. It is also available online from retailers like igourmet and Amazon. Its versatility makes it an ideal melting cheese, perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches, fondue, or folded into an omelette.
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It is also known as 'ladies cheese'
Butterkäse, or "butter cheese" in German, is a semi-soft cow's milk cheese known for its buttery flavour and creamy texture. It is primarily produced in Germany, near the Swiss border, as well as in Austria. It is also made in Wisconsin, thanks to German immigrants in the area. The cheese is made in the true Alpine tradition and ripens in just one month, resulting in a young, buttery snack cheese with a mild, approachable flavour. It is also known as damenkäse or "ladies cheese" because it is odourless and delicately flavoured.
Butterkäse is produced using traditional German methods and is aged for a very brief period, which contributes to its mild taste. It has a fat content of 50 per cent and is versatile, as it can be sliced, spread or melted. This makes it a perfect table cheese and an ideal addition to grilled cheese sandwiches, fondue, or omelettes.
The name Butterkäse comes from the German words "butter" and "käse", meaning cheese. It is a fitting name, as the cheese has a buttery flavour and appearance, although it is actually butter-free. The cheese first appeared in 1928 as a variant of Italian Bel Paese, which means "beautiful country".
In addition to its production in Germany, Austria, and Wisconsin, Butterkäse has a diverse origin story that can be traced back to Switzerland's rich dairy heritage. Swiss farmers supply high-quality milk, which is a key aspect of Butterkäse production. The milk undergoes a process of fermentation in specialised dairies, where temperature control is vital to achieving the semi-solid form that characterises the cheese. The curds are then pressed, cut, and soaked in brine to complete the Butterkäse-making process.
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Frequently asked questions
Butterkase cheese is made in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Wisconsin.
Butterkase means 'butter cheese' in German.
Butterkase has a creamy texture and a buttery taste.
Butterkase is made from cow's milk.
You can buy Butterkase from most specialty cheese shops and some upscale grocery stores, including Whole Foods.
