Appenzeller | |
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Country of origin | Switzerland |
Region | Appenzell |
Source of milk | thermized cows' milk |
Pasteurized | No |
Texture | Hard |
Aging time | 3 months or more |
Related media on Commons |
Appenzeller cheese (German pronunciation: [ˈapn̩ˌt͡sɛlɐ] ) is a hard cow's-milk cheese produced in the Appenzellerland region of northeast Switzerland, in the two modern-day cantons of Appenzell Innerrhoden and Appenzell Ausserrhoden. It is classified as a Swiss-type or Alpine cheese.
History
Cheese from Appenzellerland has a documented history of at least 700 years, being first mentioned in a document from 1282. However, the manufacturing process is not mentioned and may have been different from currently.
About 75 dairies produce Appenzeller, each with a different recipe for their brine wash. Most of the recipes are trade secrets.
Production
An herbal brine, sometimes incorporating wine or cider, is applied to the wheels of cheese while they cure, which flavors and preserves the cheese while promoting the formation of a rind.
Variants
The cheese is straw-colored, with tiny holes and a golden rind. It has a strong smell and a nutty or fruity flavour, which can range from mild to tangy, depending on how long it is aged. Three types are sold:
- "Classic". Aged three to four months, mildly spicy. The wheels are wrapped in a silver label.
- "Surchoix". Aged four to six months, strongly spicy. Gold label.
- "Extra". Aged six months or longer, extra spicy. Black label.
See also
- List of cheeses – List of cheeses by place of origin
References
- ^ "www.appenzeller.ch" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-12-01. Retrieved 2015-11-01.
- ^ Vogler, Werner (1981). "15. Januar 1282 - erste urkundliche Erwähnung von Appenzeller Käse". Schweizer Volkskunde. 71 (6): 103–106.
- ^ "Home Appenzeller Käse". Retrieved 2015-11-01.
- "www.appenzeller.ch" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-11-30. Retrieved 2015-11-01.
- "www.appenzeller.ch" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-11-30. Retrieved 2015-11-01.
External links
- Official Appenzeller page
- San Francisco Chronicle, Janet Fletcher, October 21, 2004
- Description from Cheese of the Month Club
- Epicurious description
Swiss cheeses | |
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