Bundz facts for kids
Bundz is a special kind of sheep's milk cheese made by the Gorals, who are a group of people living in the mountains. It's also called bunc in their local Podhale dialect. This cheese is traditionally made in the beautiful Podhale region of Poland.
What is Bundz Cheese?
Bundz is a fresh, soft cheese that comes from the milk of sheep. It's a very old and traditional food in the Podhale mountains. People there have been making it for hundreds of years! It has a mild and slightly sour taste.
How Bundz is Made
Making Bundz cheese is a special process that has been passed down through generations.
The First Steps
The first part of making Bundz is similar to how another famous Polish cheese, oscypek, is made.
- First, fresh sheep's milk is poured into a large wooden bucket called a "putara."
- Next, something called "rennet" is added to the milk. Rennet contains natural substances called enzymes.
- These enzymes make the milk "hagged," which means they help the milk's protein clump together. This separates the milk into solid curds and liquid whey.
Cooking the Curds
- After the curds form, they are gently heated. They are "brewed" for a few minutes at about 70 degrees Celsius (around 158 degrees Fahrenheit).
- This heating helps the curds become firmer.
- Finally, the cheese curds are strained through a special cloth. They form into large, soft lumps of cheese.
- The result is a delicious, mild cheese known as Bundz.
What is Żętyca?
When Bundz cheese is made, a liquid called whey is left over. This whey is not wasted! It is used to make another traditional drink called żętyca. Żętyca is a sour, refreshing drink that is popular in the Podhale region. It's a great way to use all parts of the sheep's milk.
