Vlašić cheese facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vlašić cheese |
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| Country of origin | Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Region | Central Bosnia |
| Town | Travnik |
| Source of milk | Sheep's, also cow's and mixtures |
| Pasteurised | No |
| Texture | white, medium hard |
| Fat content | low |
| Dimensions | not defined |
| Aging time | 60 to 90 days |
Vlašić cheese (Serbo-Croatian: Vlašićki sir) is also known as Travnik cheese (Serbo-Croatian: Travnički sir). It is a white cheese that is often low in fat. This special cheese is made from sheep's milk. It comes from the Vlašić mountain area in central Bosnia and Herzegovina, near the town of Travnik.
Vlašić cheese is kept in salty water called "brine." The amount of brine used changes how the cheese feels and tastes. It can be dry and quite salty.
Contents
What is Vlašić Cheese?
Vlašić cheese is a white cheese that gets its flavor while it ages in brine. Originally, it was made only from fresh sheep's milk. Today, people also use cow's milk or a mix of both. The cheese then ripens for about two to three months.
How Does Vlašić Cheese Look and Taste?
This cheese is usually white. It can have small, uneven holes inside, or it can be solid without any holes. When it is taken out of the brine, it often becomes dry and quite salty. The milk used for this cheese has a special taste. This comes from the many different herbs the sheep eat while grazing on Vlašić mountain.
The History of Vlašić Cheese
The name "Vlašić" for the mountain comes from the word Vlasi. This word was used in Bosnia and Herzegovina for people who moved their animals from one place to another, called transhumance.
Experts believe that the Vlachs, who were part of the Roman Empire, created the recipe for Vlašić cheese around 1000 AD or even earlier. They made the recipe better over time. Then, they shared this tradition with other animal breeders from nearby mountains.
Popularity and Special Features
Today, Vlašić cheese is made all over Bosnia and Herzegovina. But it is especially known as a tradition of the Central Bosnia region, the Vlašić mountain, and the town of Travnik.
Besides the cheese, there are two other special things from this region: the Tornjak dog and the Pramenka sheep. The Tornjak dog has been around for over a thousand years. It was bred to protect people and their animals from wild animals like wolves and bears.
Awards and Recognition
Vlašić cheese has won many awards over the years. One of its most recent achievements was a gold medal. It won this at the 12th International Exhibition of Cheese in Austria in 2014.
Images for kids
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Sheep grazing on Vlašić mountain.
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More sheep on Vlašić mountain.
