Nieheimer facts for kids

Nieheimer cheese is a special kind of sour milk cheese from Germany.

Nieheimer is a unique type of sour milk cheese that comes from Germany. It gets its name from the town of Nieheim in the Höxter area of North Rhine-Westphalia. This cheese is made from cow's milk and has a very interesting way of being prepared.

What is Nieheimer Cheese?

Nieheimer cheese is known as a "sour milk cheese" because it's made from milk that has been allowed to sour naturally. Unlike many other cheeses, it doesn't use something called rennet. Rennet is a special ingredient often used to make milk curdle and form cheese. Nieheimer cheese forms its curds (the solid parts of milk that become cheese) without it.

How is Nieheimer Cheese Made?

Making Nieheimer cheese is a careful process that takes several steps. It involves aging, flavoring, and ripening to get its special taste and texture.

Step 1: Starting with Curds

First, the curds from the cow's milk are pressed together to form a cake shape. These cheese cakes are then left to age for about five to eight days. This aging process helps the cheese develop its initial flavors.

Step 2: Adding Flavor and Drying

After the first aging, the cheese cakes are broken into smaller pieces. At this point, salt and caraway seeds are mixed in to give the cheese its distinctive flavor. Sometimes, a little milk or beer is also added. The pieces are then covered with straw while they dry. This step is important for both drying the cheese and adding to its unique character.

Step 3: Ripening with Hops

Once flavored and partially dried, the cheese is placed into special containers called casks. Layers of hops are packed around the cheese pieces. Hops are plants often used to flavor beer, and they give Nieheimer cheese a special aroma and taste as it ripens further. This final ripening stage helps the cheese become firm and ready to eat.

What Does Nieheimer Cheese Look and Taste Like?

Nieheimer cheese is usually firm, and sometimes it can even be quite hard. Its outer skin, called the rind, can be yellowish to a gray-green color. It has a fat content of about 28%. When you buy Nieheimer cheese, you might sometimes find it covered with hop leaves, which is a cool way to show how it's made! People often grate or shave this cheese to use it in different dishes.

Fun Facts About Nieheimer Cheese

In some places, people informally call Nieheimer cheese "hop cheese." This makes sense because hops are a big part of how it's made and how it tastes. However, it's good to remember that there's also a different type of cheese actually named "hop cheese," so Nieheimer is unique!