Västerbotten cheese facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Västerbotten |
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| Country of origin | Sweden |
| Region, town | Västerbotten |
| Source of milk | Cows |
| Texture | Hard |
| Aging time | One year or more |
Västerbotten cheese (called Västerbottensost in Swedish) is a very special and famous cheese from the Västerbotten area in Sweden.
Contents
The Story of Västerbotten Cheese
The village of Burträsk, which is now part of the Skellefteå area, says this cheese was first made there in the 1870s. The story goes that a dairy maid named Ulrika Eleonora Lindström invented it.
How the Cheese Was Accidentally Invented
Legend says Ulrika was supposed to stir the cheese curd, which is the solid part of milk used to make cheese. But she got distracted, maybe by other chores or by meeting someone. This meant she stirred and heated the milk at different times, not continuously. This unusual way of making it created the unique Västerbotten cheese we know today!
Where Västerbotten Cheese Is Made Today
Today, Västerbotten cheese is a registered trademark. This means only one company, Norrmejerier, is allowed to make it. They produce this special cheese only at their dairy in Burträsk, where it all began.
What Makes Västerbotten Cheese Special?
Västerbotten cheese is a cow's milk cheese. It is a hard cheese, meaning it's firm and not soft.
Look and Feel
- It has tiny holes or "eyes" inside.
- Its texture is firm and a bit grainy.
- The cheese is light yellow.
- It has about 31% fat content.
Taste and Aging
Västerbotten cheese has a very strong and unique flavor. People often say it tastes a bit like Parmesan cheese, but it's saltier and has some bitter notes too.
To get its special taste, the cheese must be aged for at least 12 months. However, it's more common for it to age for 14 months or even longer. This long aging process helps develop its deep and complex flavor.
Why Västerbotten Cheese Is So Popular
Many people in Sweden call Västerbotten cheese the "king of cheese." It's so popular that there's often not enough of it to go around!
A Royal and Special Treat
- This cheese has been served at important events, like the Nobel Dinner.
- It's also been enjoyed at other royal dinners in Sweden.
- Because it's so special and in high demand, it can be about twice as expensive as other aged cheeses.
How Swedes Enjoy This Cheese
Västerbotten cheese is a must-have for many Swedish traditions:
- It's a very important part of the late summer crayfish party.
- People also eat it all year round with traditional pickled herring.
- It adds a fantastic flavor to a popular dish called Västerbotten cheese pie, or västerbottensostpaj.
Västerbotten Cheese Pie
The pie's filling is made with Västerbotten cheese, cream, eggs, and black pepper. This delicious pie is eaten widely in Sweden, especially during big celebrations like Christmas, Easter, Midsummer, and during the crayfish season in August.
See also
In Spanish: Queso Västerbotten para niños
