Every cheese lover is responsible for choosing the variety of this treat. In order to fully enjoy the taste of the product, it is necessary to find the most optimal ratio of price and quality. Everyone will agree that if a cheese costing several thousand rubles is not very tasty, it will be rather annoying. For this reason, it is advisable to choose Finnish cheeses, the photos of which are presented in this article. They are able to satisfy all tastes, while remaining affordable.
In fact, most of us have repeatedly tried this product from Finland, since some types are not delicious and can be bought at almost any store. So, everyone knows the delicate taste of Viola processed cheese, slightly spicy Oltermani, and the creamy Valio varieties. These are the main brands that are produced in Finland.
Why are Finnish cheeses so good?
The explanation is simple: the art of cheese making has been developing in Finland for a long time. Even in the Middle Ages, they knew how to make this product, while they believed that its quality is due not only to knowledge and experience, but also to witchcraft. Today, cheese production in Finland is at a fairly high level; the product is known in many countries of the world for its quality. A great contribution was made by Arturi Ilmari Virtanen, who received the Nobel Prize for his cheese making technology in the 1920s. For fifty years, Virtanen headed the Valio laboratory, developing new and new varieties of the product, including the world famous Emmental.
In order to make a delicious cheese, you need to use only high-quality milk. This product in Finland is considered the best in Europe. This explains the high quality and excellent taste that all Finnish cheeses have.
Varieties
In Finland, cheese (in Finnish - juusto) is produced in many different types. So, you can find both standard semi-hard varieties (for example, Oltermani, which can be found on sale in Russia), as well as less well-known Finnish cheeses, which include Turunmaa. This cheese is traditionally consumed for breakfast, and it has been made since the 16th century. Turunmaa has a rich creamy taste with an admixture of pungency and a rather dense texture. Distributed and cheese "Lappi", which has a neutral taste. It can be added to any dishes.
Famous Finnish cheeses: Oltermani
As already noted, Oltermani is a traditional Finnish product. Among semi-hard cheeses, it differs in both taste and aroma and some other characteristics. Currently, there are three varieties on sale, different in nutritional value:
- Light, with a fat content of 17%. This type is designed for consumers who want to maintain harmony and lose weight. It can be purchased both in slices (packaging in 150 grams) and by weight, in heads weighing up to 900 grams.
- With a fat content of 29%. This is a semi-hard cheese that tastes a bit sour. Also sold in sliced or tipped heads.
- Standard, with a fat content of 55%. This "Oltermani" has a rich creamy taste. Often it is served on the table in combination with grapes, various juicy fruits and nuts. It is sold in packages weighing 250 or 550 grams, as well as sliced.
According to the lovers of Oltermani cheese, it should have a creamy delicate taste, a pronounced milky aroma, as well as a salty aftertaste.
Other species
Finnish cheeses, the names of which were listed above, do not complete the list of varieties. So, product connoisseurs recommend Apetina cheese. It has a friable structure and slightly resembles Greek feta. Therefore, it can be used both for making Greek salad and for sandwiches. In addition, it is often cut into plates and used as filler for pancakes.
Kippari is also recommended - this product is similar to sausage cheese known to everyone since childhood . This is a smoked product that can be used as a standalone snack. In addition, everyone knows Finnish cheese "Viola" - they are available in any store.
Bread Cheese and Other Rare Varieties
There are also unusual species that can only be found in Finland. For example, bread cheese (Leipäjuusto), which, at first glance, resembles a dough cake. It is made without the ripening process, baking in the oven. This variety is especially popular in Lapland - there it is served as a dessert.
Other unusual Finnish cheeses include Ilva and Muneusto. They are also made in the oven, but ripen after baking.