Muenster is an American cow’s milk cheese with a mild, buttery flavor and a smooth, semi-soft texture. Muenster’s blocks are distinguished by their bright orange exterior. Muenster is often sold in blocks or pre-cut. It is believed to have originally been developed as an imitation of Munster, a soft-ripened French artisan cheese.
Fast facts
- Milk Source: Cow
- Country of origin: United States
- Texture: Semisoft
- Color: Ivory to pale yellow with reddish-orange bark
What is Muenster?
Muenster is known for its square blocks with an orange coating on the rind. It is a staple in North American deli items and is often used in sandwiches. gave Cheese was first made Introduced to Wisconsin in the 19th century by immigrants from Alsace, then part of France but now German territory, possibly as an imitation of a washed cheese known as French Munster. Also known as Munster-Jerome.
How is Muenster made?
Pasteurized cow’s milk is heated, and cultures are added to the milk. As the pH decreases, Rant Milk is added to curd to form a curd. The curd is extruded into loaf-shaped blocks, salted with brine, pressed and aged. The finished blocks are sunk. Anatoa seed used to add a bright orange color to cheeses such as processed Colby and Cheddar, or sprinkled with a thin layer of sweet paprika. This practice mimics the pale orange color of Minster Jerome’s washed peel.
Alternative
On a cheese plate, for snacking, or on a sandwich, a creamy, semi-soft but shredded cheese such as Butterkes, Kareem Havartior a Monterey Jack can be used. Young Gowda and Jawan Fontina Will offer a little more flavor but these are good alternatives too. Other mild cheeses suitable for slicing or grating and melting in recipes include mild cheddar, Colby, Colby Jack, and low-moisture mozzarella.
uses
Serve Muenster on one Party tray For fun, or cut it. Use it in sandwiches.wraps, and paninis. Although it melts beautifully, Muenster isn’t particularly flavorful, so it’s often paired with stronger cheeses or other ingredients. It is often used with other melted cheeses in macaroni and cheese or casserole recipes.
storage
Store blocks or slices of Monster cheese wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil in your refrigerator. Muenster can be stored this way for two to three weeks. If mold appears on the surface of the cheese, cut well around it to remove it. Be careful not to let the knife come into contact with mold, which can cause it to spread.
Monster Cheese can be frozen Wrapped tightly in foil and sealed in a zip-top freezer bag for up to two months. Thaw frozen Muenster overnight in the refrigerator before using. Freezing will spoil the texture of the muenster, so it’s best to use the melted cheese for cooking or thawing rather than eating it fresh. A thawed monster should cook within three to four days.
Monster recipes.
Can you eat the rind?
Despite its thin orange coating, Muenster cheese is technically colorless and its exterior is edible.