Munster Cheese
A soft, washed-rind cow’s-milk cheese from France’s Alsace-Vosges region, with an orange rind and a very strong aroma. Its interior is creamy and runny; its flavor is milder than its smell.
What Is Munster Cheese?
Munster is a soft, washed-rind cow’s-milk cheese from the Vosges Mountains between Alsace and Lorraine in France. As it ages, the rind is wiped regularly with brine (sometimes with a regional beverage); this gives it an orange-red, sticky rind and a very strong aroma.
Although its aroma is pungent, its flavor is milder, creamier, and fuller than many people expect; the interior becomes runny as it ripens. It is traditionally served with caraway seeds or boiled potatoes. It is made with both raw and pasteurized milk.
Nutritional Values of Munster
As a soft cheese, Munster is high in protein and fat and contains calcium; it provides approximately 330 kcal per 100 g. Like other cheeses, it also contains sodium, so moderate consumption is recommended. Values are approximate.
How Should Munster Be Consumed?
Because Munster is a rich cheese containing fat and sodium, consume it in moderation as part of a balanced diet. The raw-milk variety may be replaced with a pasteurized alternative for pregnant people and those with weakened immune systems; check the label.
This information is general; Munster is a food and is not a substitute for medical treatment.
How to Choose Munster
Good Munster has a creamy, elastic interior, a moist, vivid orange rind, and a strong but pleasant, natural aroma. Avoid cheese with an excessively sharp, ammonia-like smell, a sunken interior, or a dry, cracked rind.
- The interior should be creamy and elastic
- The rind should be vivid orange
- The aroma should be strong but natural
How to Store Munster
Store Munster in the refrigerator, wrapped in cheese paper and preferably in a separate sealed container; its strong aroma can spread to other foods. Let it come to room temperature for a while before serving to bring out its aroma and creamy texture.
Using Munster in the Kitchen
Munster is most often served on a cheese board; it is also used with boiled potatoes, in tartiflette-style gratins, and in melted dishes. It melts beautifully with heat and adds its strong aroma to food; it is also enjoyed warmed on bread.
Why Does Munster’s Rind Smell?
Regularly wiping the rind with brine (the washed-rind process) encourages the growth of natural aroma-producing bacteria on the surface. This is characteristic of washed-rind cheeses such as Munster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Munster as pungent in flavor as it is in smell?
Usually not; although its aroma is very strong, its flavor is milder, creamier, and fuller than many people expect. Its flavor also intensifies as it ripens.
Is Munster made with raw milk?
It is made with both raw and pasteurized milk. Pregnant people and others at higher risk should choose the pasteurized version and check the label.
How is Munster served?
It is traditionally served with caraway seeds and boiled potatoes, or with bread on a cheese board. Its flavor is best at room temperature.