Kamil Perry
Muenster cheese is a mild, semi-soft white cheese with a reddish-orange rind. It is currently made in Germany, France, and the United States. In the US, Muenster cheese is available at Target, Wisconsin Cheese Mart, and Pearl Valley Cheese in Amish Country, Ohio. In France, Munster cheese can be purchased from Marky's. Unfortunately, I could not find information on where to buy Muenster cheese in Germany.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Semi-soft, semi-firm, mild, white, washed-rind |
| Rind Colour | Reddish-orange, orange |
| Rind Ingredient | Paprika, annatto |
| Texture | Creamy, smooth, soft |
| Taste | Mild, earthy, tangy, pungent |
| Aroma | Mild, strong, pungent |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk |
| Origin | France, Germany, United States |
| Food Pairings | Beer, Pilsner, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Riesling, ham, turkey sandwiches, fruit, grilled cheese sandwiches, pizza |
| Occasions | Continental breakfast, St. Patrick's Day, Father's Day |
| Availability | Target, Wisconsin Cheese Mart, Pearl Valley Cheese, Marky's, Cheese House |
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What You'll Learn
Muenster cheese in the US
Muenster, or Munster, is a semi-soft cheese from the United States. It is thought to be an imitation of the Alsatian washed-rind Munster cheese, which was introduced by German immigrants. The American 'muenster' name distinguishes it from its French counterpart. In the US, it is sometimes referred to as "creamy muenster".
Muenster cheese is made from cow's milk and is known for its pale colour and smooth texture, often with an orange rind. The cheese has a mild flavour, but when properly aged, it can develop a stronger flavour with a pungent aroma. It is popular as a slicing cheese for sandwiches and melts well, making it a good choice for grilled cheese sandwiches, tuna melts, quesadillas, cheeseburgers, and macaroni and cheese.
You can buy Muenster cheese from various retailers in the US, including Wisconsin Cheese Mart, Amazon, Keystone Farms Cheese, and Pearl Valley Cheese in Amish Country, Ohio. It is also available from some specialty cheese shops and grocers.
When purchasing Muenster cheese, it is important to look for a few key characteristics. The cheese should have a shiny brick-coloured or orange rind, with a semi-soft body. It should have a strong smell and a creamy texture. Defects to look out for include an unripe, crumbly body, a broken rind, or an overly salty taste.
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Muenster cheese in France
Muenster cheese, also known as Munster-géromé or Minschterkaas in the Alsatian language, is a soft cow's milk cheese with a strong taste and aroma, first produced in the Vosges region of France, between Alsace, Lorraine, and Franche-Comté. The name "Munster" comes from the Alsatian town of Munster, where the cheese was conserved and matured in monks' cellars. The cheese is also said to have originated in the 7th century when monks first arrived in the area's Vosges mountains to spread their religion, bringing knowledge of cheese production with them.
Muenster cheese is made from unpasteurized cow's milk, also known as "crude" or "raw" milk. It is formed into flat cylinders, with two common dimensions: little Munster gérômé has a 7–12 cm (2.8–4.7 in) diameter, while big Munster gérômé (commonly just called Munster) has a 13–19 cm (5.1–7.5 in) diameter. The cheese's crust must be washed regularly and it is matured in damp cellars for five weeks for the smaller formats (roughly 300 g) and up to 2 to 3 months for the larger ones (about 1500 g). During this period, the rind is periodically washed with brine, which helps develop the bacteria responsible for the cheese's distinct taste and colour.
Authentic French Muenster cheese is made from the milk of cows that graze in the Vosges mountains of eastern France. The cheese has a creamy texture and an earthy flavour with notes of hay, barnyard, and mushrooms. It pairs well with fruity red wines like Pinot Noir or Beaujolais, as well as Belgian ales. Muenster is a very versatile cheese and can be used in a variety of dishes, such as baked potatoes, scalloped potatoes, grilled cheese sandwiches, and even fondue. It is also a great addition to a cheeseboard or a continental breakfast, where it won't overpower other flavours.
In 1969, Muenster earned a protected designation of origin in France, ensuring that it is still made via traditional means in and around Munster. This designation also includes specific requirements for the production process, such as the limited area of milk production, which includes a major part of Vosges, near the mountains of Alsace, the départements Haut-Rhin and Bas-Rhin, and a few communes in département Haute-Saône, among others.
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Muenster cheese in Germany
Despite its name, Muenster cheese is not from Germany. In fact, it is a semi-soft cow's milk cheese from the United States, believed to be an imitation of the Alsatian washed-rind Munster cheese, which was introduced by German immigrants. The addition of an "e" in the name distinguishes the American variety from its French counterpart.
Muenster cheese is currently produced in Germany, France, and the United States. However, it is believed to have originated in the Vosges mountains of eastern France, where it was first made by Benedictine monks who had migrated to the Alsace region. The cheese gets its name from the Alsatian town of Munster, where it was conserved and matured in monks' cellars.
The French variety of Munster cheese is protected by an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) certification in the European Union, which ensures that the cheese is produced within a limited area of milk production, including the Vosges mountains near Alsace. The American variety, on the other hand, is produced according to standards established by the United States Food and Drug Administration, which define the ingredients and production process.
Muenster cheese is known for its mild, slightly nutty flavour and semi-firm texture. It has a reddish-orange rind made from paprika, which can be eaten but is often cut off. The cheese melts well, making it a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches, hamburgers, and other melted cheese dishes. It is also commonly used in cold cut sandwiches and charcuterie boards.
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Buying Muenster cheese online
There are several options for buying Muenster cheese online. Amazon.com offers packaged Muenster cheese, which can be purchased through the website or the Amazon app. Another option is to buy from specialist cheese retailers such as Pearl Valley Cheese in Ohio, which offers an all-natural Muenster cheese made from milk that is rBST-free. Shullsburg Creamery also offers Muenster cheese by the pound, allowing customers to specify the exact amount they require.
Vern's Cheese, based in Wisconsin, provides another option for buying Muenster cheese online. They hand-cut their cheeses, so the final weight may vary slightly from the listed weight online. Vern's Cheese emphasizes the importance of shipping perishable cheese products promptly, especially during warmer weather, and offers express shipping options to ensure the cheese arrives in good condition. They also recommend upgrading to a Cold Pack option, which includes styrofoam and ice packs, for an additional fee.
When buying Muenster cheese online, it is important to consider the shipping conditions, especially if the product is perishable. Retailers like Vern's Cheese offer guidance on shipping methods and additional services to ensure the cheese arrives fresh and of the highest quality.
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Muenster cheese in brick form
Brick cheese is a type of cheese commonly used for Detroit-style pizza. It is made in Wisconsin, where it can be found in most places, and is also available in other parts of the Midwest. Outside of these regions, it may be harder to find. It is made by heating raw milk to 162°F, then cooling it to around 90°F before adding a starter culture of bacteria to begin fermentation. After cooking the curds, they are cut into cubes and placed in perforated rectangular moulds. These are pressed to remove whey, and the bricks are then placed in a brine solution. They are then washed with a solution of whey and brine containing the bacterium Brevibacterium linens, which gives the cheese its distinctive aroma. The cheese is then placed in cold storage for up to five months and is ready for consumption after two weeks.
Muenster cheese is a variety of brick cheese. It is a mild and creamy cheese, often coloured with natural annatto food colouring. It is similar to brick cheese in that it slices and melts well, making it suitable for grilled cheese sandwiches, pizza, and other dishes.
Muenster cheese can be found in brick form, and there are several options for purchasing it in this format. Kraemer Wisconsin Cheese offers a selection of Brick and Muenster cheeses. Pearl Valley Cheese in Ohio also produces a brick-style Muenster cheese.
If you are unable to find Muenster cheese in brick form, you can substitute it with other similar cheeses. For a mild Muenster, you can use Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or cheddar. For an aged Muenster, you can try Limburger, Époisses, Tilsiter, or Taleggio.
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Frequently asked questions
You can buy Muenster cheese from a variety of online and offline retailers. Some online options include Wisconsin Cheese Mart, Pearl Valley Cheese, and Marky's. Offline, you can try Target.
Muenster cheese is made in Germany, France, and the United States. It is believed to have originated in the Alsace region of France, where it was first made by Benedictine monks.
Muenster is a mild, semi-soft, white cheese with a reddish-orange rind made from paprika. The cheese is made from cow's milk and has a creamy texture. It is often described as having a mild, earthy flavor with notes of hay, barnyard, and mushrooms.
