Jun 19 2024
Alsace is one of the most culturally diverse regions of France, perhaps because of its location and its proximity to different countries, traditions and influences. Alsace is located on the very eastern edge of France and borders Germany to the North East and Switzerland to the south. It touches on the River Rheine and this blend of French and German influences has made it a rich source of culinary intrigue, which makes our strong but smooth-tasting Munster cheese a fascinating choice.
With a population of just under two million, Alsace is a region full of life and activity, but is characterised by the natural beauty of surrounding lakes, rivers, forests, hills and waterfalls. Strasbourg is the economic and cultural capital of Alsace, but the area has passed frequently between German and French control, undoubtedly explaining its varied culture, while the region was historically part of the Roman empire, and as such has an appealing charm which leans heavily on strong customs, practices and rituals.
Our Munster cheese originated in the forests of the Vosges mountains of Alsace, where the continental climate can be very different to the more oceanic climate experienced in the lower altitudes. The Alsace region is traditionally dry with low precipitation, which helps the production of this cow’s milk cheese.
Alsace is such a melting pot of historical and modern influences; we should not be surprised that there is speculation over the true origins of Munster cheese. One story is that it originated in the ninth century when the recipe was developed by an Irish monk visiting the Alsace region, while others say that the recipe dates back to the Charlemagne dynasty of around 800 AD, when monks visited the area and the cheese became a form of currency, used by peasants and serfs during feudal times to settle debts. Either way, Munster is a cheese with character and charm in terms of both back-story and taste and is named after the Alsation town of Munster where the cheese was matured and conserved in monks’ cellars.
Munster is a pasteurised, ivory cheese with a bright orange rind and is soft and easy to spread with a smooth and creamy texture. Taste-wise, Munster is strong, with a mild lactic finish, but is still subtle in a way that perhaps surprises people. Undoubtedly Munster is one of our cheeses with a strong sense, and yet its understated taste is a pleasant contradiction. Munster comes from a family of strong rind cheeses and the ripening process can be long and methodical, but with good reason.
The master ripener produces the appealing orange rind during the turning process, which involves turning the cheese every couple of days and washing it in a red ferment. This controls the floral growth and gives the cheese the distinctive orange rind which makes it unique and identifiable.
Munster cheese has 45% fat content and can take between five weeks and three months to age. It is produced in flat cylinders weighting between 150 to 1500 grammes. Munster cheese is protected by an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) certification and is also made under a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) process which ensures its consistency every time.
Want to know more about ordering our Alsace cheese? Contact our specialist team today who will be happy to help.
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