Havarti facts for kids

Havarti (say it: ha-VAR-tee) is a delicious, semi-soft cheese from Denmark. It's made from cow's milk. You can easily slice it for sandwiches, melt it, or even grill it! It's a very popular cheese in Denmark and around the world.

The Story of Havarti Cheese

Havarti cheese has an interesting history! Long ago, it was called "Danish Tilsiter." This name came from a German cheese called Tilsit cheese. Denmark started making this cheese in 1921.

In 1952, the cheese got its new name: Havarti. It was named after a farm called Havartigården. This farm was near a town called Holte. A famous Danish cheese maker named Hanne Nielsen worked there in the 1800s. She was known for creating many different cheeses.

Some people believe Hanne Nielsen invented Havarti cheese. Other sources say that today's Havarti is not exactly the same as her original cheese.

You might also hear about "cream Havarti" (or flødehavarti). This type is a bit different from the original. It's made with milk that has been heated to a very high temperature. This process changes the cheese's taste and texture. Cream Havarti usually doesn't need to age for a long time.

How is Havarti Made?

Making Havarti cheese is similar to making most other cheeses. First, a special ingredient called rennet is added to milk. This makes the milk thicken and form curds, which look like soft lumps.

These curds are then pressed into special cheese molds. This helps to drain out any extra liquid. After that, the cheese is left to age for a while. This aging process helps the cheese develop its unique flavor and texture.

Havarti is known as a "washed-curd" cheese. This means the curds are washed during the making process. This washing helps give the cheese its mild and subtle flavor.

Havarti cheese usually doesn't have a hard outer rind. It's smooth and has a slightly shiny surface. Its color can be creamy white to light yellow. If you look closely, you'll see very small, irregular holes inside the cheese. These are called eyes.

Havarti smells a bit like butter. Its taste is buttery, often sweet, and a little bit tangy. When the cheese gets older, it can become saltier and taste a bit like hazelnut. If you leave Havarti out at room temperature, it will soften quickly.

You can also find Havarti cheese with different flavors added, like dill or caraway seeds!

Where is Havarti Made?

Havarti cheese is made in many places around the world! Of course, a lot of it is made in its home country, Denmark. In 2019, Denmark produced about 17,000 metric tons of Havarti. A good portion of this is eaten right there in Denmark.

But Denmark isn't the only place. Other countries in Europe, like Germany and Spain, also make Havarti. Outside of Europe, the United States and Canada are big producers. Other countries that make Havarti include Finland, Poland, France, Australia, and New Zealand.

In the United States, the state of Wisconsin makes the most Havarti cheese. Other states like California, Illinois, and New York also produce it. A large Danish food company called Arla Foods makes Havarti in Wisconsin for the American market.

Havarti is one of twelve cheeses that have special rules for how they are made. These rules are written down in a book called the Codex Alimentarius. This helps make sure that Havarti cheese is always made in a certain way, no matter where it comes from.

How People Enjoy Havarti

Havarti cheese is a very common food in Denmark. People enjoy it in many ways. It's great on crackers, in sandwiches, or as part of a cheese board. Its mild flavor makes it a favorite for many!

Havarti Nutrition Facts

Here are some nutrition facts for one slice (about 28 grams) of Havarti cheese:

• Calories: 120
• Protein: 6.0 grams
• Carbohydrate: 0.0 grams
• Total fat: 11.0 grams
• Fiber: 0.0 grams
• Calcium: 0.150 grams

See also

In Spanish: Queso Havarti para niños