This article may contain affiliate links and if you make a purchase after clicking on a link, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
If you’re a cheese lover or connoisseur, you must have tasted dozens of cheeses. And you know that not all are as great as they were advertised.
I get it! It is impossible to please everyone.
Cheddar cheese is a companion for most people, whereas some rebuked it as being too sharp, Mozzarella has a bland taste, Brie looks moldy, Parmesan is this; Gouda is that. But there’s one cheese everybody talks good about, the Havarti cheese. So, what does Havarti cheese taste like?
Havarti cheese has a buttery aroma, and some varieties can be sharper and nuttier. The cheese has a buttery and somewhat acidic taste, with some sort of a middle ground between Monterey Jack and Muenster cheese.
Let’s quickly learn more about Havarti cheese and its taste!
What is Havarti Cheese?
Havarti cheese is a semi-soft Danish cow’s milk cheese with a surprisingly creamy buttery flavor.
It looks and tastes like Swiss cheese with irregular eyes. However, it was originated in Denmark in the mid-1800s by a Trail-blazing woman: Hanne Nielsen.
She spent her early years on a cheese voyage from European countries learning how to make cheese.
Finally, she ended up making a perfectly mild but never-boring cheese that can be sliced, grilled, or melted into a wide variety of dishes.
What Does Havarti Cheese Taste Like?
Show me a cheese lover who doesn’t want cheese with every meal, and I will show you one that hasn’t yet tasted Havarti.
Havarti cheese is mild enough that kids and adults go wild for it, yet with sweet and creamy notes that embrace your palate in a graceful sensation.
One bite on the main course or dessert, and you’re hooked. This crowd-pleaser will undeniably prick up a good conversation at the dinner table.
Thinking, what can you do with this cheese?
It is almost infinite possibilities!
Havarti Cheese’s yummy flavor pairs and compliments a wide variety of dishes. Whether shredded on pizza, in casseroles, over burgers, or in fabulous in a Havarti grilled cheese, Havarti never fails to do justice.
The buttery richness is also perfect in desserts, fruits, some of your favorite beverages, and many more. Wine and Havarti cheese is a classic combination. You can also slice and serve it with grapes, apples, dried fruits, and pears on a platter.
Crackers and whole-wheat bread with Havarti is an irresistible combination as well. You can even pair it with other cheeses for contrasting flavors.
Aside from that, Havarti Cheese is also friendly with almost of beverages, whether cabernet sauvignon wine, Beaujolais, pinot noir and merlot, red zinfandel, or with Weiss, lighter pilsner, Saison, a hefty stout, and many more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s The Difference Between Havarti And Swiss?
Havarti and Swiss cheese are different cheeses that look alike. Both have holes or eyes, yet their flavor and texture profile is nothing close. While Havarti is a semi-soft cheese with a buttery and creamy flavor, Swiss is firmer and nuttier with larger holes.
Meanwhile, Havarti’s eyes are smaller and evenly distributed than Swiss cheese.
Why Does Havarti Cheese Have Holes?
It is due to certain good bacteria in the making process, like shermanii. This bacterium then converts lactic acid into carbon dioxide that seeps into the flesh and becomes trapped, resulting in little eyes.
How Long Is Havarti Cheese Aged?
It depends on what the cheesemaker what to accomplish — a soft or semi-soft text; or a sharper flavor process. But generally, Havarti cheese is aged around three months to ensure the creaminess and mild flavor are still intact.
Although there are some varieties aged over a year, these types are usually saltier with a distinct nuttiness and a firmer texture that reminiscent hazelnuts.
Is Havarti Cheese Fermented?
Yes, just like every other unprocessed cheese like Gouda, Mozzarella, feta, and ricotta, Havarti is a fermented milk product that lets us enjoy the benefits from lactic acid-producing bacteria.
Conclusion
You know exactly what does Havarti cheese tastes like, so now what? Are you going to a cheese shop for a Havarti cheese?
If you are, you can experiment with flavoring herbs, hot peppers, horseradish, or caraway seeds. If you do this, I promise you, the first bite, you’ll be struck by how buttery and rich it is.
If you live in the States, this is a rare luxury I’m leaking out for free. Just try it and thank me later!
