2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Limburger / Limburger / is a type of soft cheese made from cow's milk. It is traditionally prepared in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. It is known for its rich taste and strong aroma. In fact, along with Munster, Taleggio, Stilton and Camembert, it ranks among the most fragrant cheeses in the world.
History of Limburger
Limburger is among the dairy products that have a long history. This cheese has been known to mankind since the Middle Ages. It was first prepared by Trappist monks in the historic Duchy of Limburg. Hence the name of the cheese. To date, the lands of the former duchy are distributed between the modern countries of Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium.
In the beginning the cheese Limburger is known only in the region of these three countries, but in the last century began to gain worldwide popularity. Its fame is mainly due to its characteristic heavy scent. This in turn causes foreigners to call it fragrant German cheese.
After the 1840s, an attempt was made to produce the cheese in the United States, and in particular in the state of Wisconsin. This undertaking was undertaken by European emigrants. Years later, the American Rudolf Benkertz produced the cheese in his home cellar, using pasteurized goat's milk. Shortly afterwards, there were already factories producing Limburger.
By the 1930s, there were more than a hundred factories. Today, in the United States, only the Chalet Cheese Cooperative company produces the famous fragrant cheese. Limburger is also made in Canada, in New Hamburg, Ontario. However, Germany remains the largest producer of the product.
Composition of Limburger
Like all dairy products, Limburger contains many vitamins and valuable nutrients. It contains a certain amount of saturated, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, cholesterol, sugars, protein and water. It is a source of sodium, potassium, calcium, iron, selenium, copper, manganese, zinc, magnesium and phosphorus. It contains vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B4, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, vitamin B9, vitamin B12, vitamin D and vitamin E.
Production of Limburger
As already mentioned, in the production of Limburger cow's milk is used. The milk substance is pasteurized at a temperature of 72 degrees. After that, however, it is cooled and its temperature drops to 30 degrees. Then a bacterial culture of Brevibacterium linens is introduced into the milk and the next important step comes - the addition of rennet to cross the substance.
Then again it is time to heat the dairy product to 35 degrees. The resulting cheese is placed in rectangular shapes and salted. It is left to mature for fourteen days in special rooms where there is high humidity. Then the temperature drops to 10 degrees and Limburger stays like that for 2-3 months. Finally, the cheese is distributed in retail chains.
Limburger feature
The cheese intended for sale is usually rectangular in shape and weighs 200 or 500 grams. At first it is more crumbly, but after the first month its consistency becomes softer. Limburger features a yellowish or orange washed rind. Occasionally there may be white mold particles on it. The inside of the cheese is smooth, soft, creamy, with holes. It is characterized by a spicy taste with a very sharp aroma. The scent of Limburger intensifies over time.
Limburger selection and storage
This type of cheese is not very common in our country. However, if you come across it, check that the cheese is well packaged and that the product has not accidentally expired. When buying Limburger store it in the refrigerator, taking care to keep the cheese away from other foods, as there is a risk of giving them its strong odor.
Also make sure the cheese is wrapped in plastic wrap. If you do not have one, you can store it in a plastic food box. The cheese stored in the refrigerator under the described conditions can be consumed for 3 weeks. If you put the product in the freezer, you will keep it suitable for use for a longer time. But you must keep in mind that if stored in this way, it will not have the same taste and culinary qualities as in the beginning.
Cooking a Limburger
At the risk of disappointing you, we will have to say that this cheese is not very suitable for heat treatment. On the other hand, it can be used in a variety of fresh salads, where it can be combined with peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, corn, avocados, broccoli. It is successfully combined with leafy vegetables such as cabbage, spinach, lettuce, dock, arugula, as well as turkey and chicken.
The cheese is very suitable for sandwiches, and is most often consumed in combination with rye bread, fresh onions and mustard. Combines with pickles, yellow cheese, ham, sardines and anchovies. Used as an additive to baked potatoes with butter. It can also be used in sandwiches with blueberry or strawberry jams. Its taste is also suitable for some types of biscuits.
The cheese Limburger it can also be served on its own. Then, however, it would be good to think of a suitable drink for him. You can opt for cider, beer or red wine such as Bordeaux, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.
