Image by Kristen Finn. Words by Sara Adduci.
Howdy, Cheese Peeps!
This week in cheese brings us Chällerhocker, a gorgeous, complex, Alpine round from Switzerland. The fine folks at the Käserei Tufertschwil, led by master cheese maker Walter Rass, have only been making this cheese since 2003, which in the crazy-long history of cheesemaking makes it a mere infant. Actually, it barely even makes it a twinkle in his father’s eye, but I’ll tell you, what it lacks in history it sure makes up for in astoundingly delicious flavor! This smooth, dense, creamy, thermalized cow’s milk cheese is washed in wine and spices as it cellar-ages for at least ten months. They say the name means “sitting in the cellar” but given the creepy-faced character that graces the label of this wheel, I think Chällerhocker actually means, “spooky little cellar dweller.” Then again, I don’t speak a lick of German and it is quite possible that I watched Chucky a few too many times in my youth! Whatever it means, the resulting flavor from all this cellar time is deep and lingering, with hints of toasted nuts, brown butter, and salted caramel. If you are a fan of Appenzeller or Gruyère, without question, this cheese will be your new best friend! So, crank up your fondue pot and come by Feast! to get a hunk of this delightful cheese. You’ll be so happy you did!
Cheers!
The post For the love of cheese! Chällerhocker appeared first on Beyond The Flavor.