Brunost Cheese vs Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese
Brunost Cheese is a semi-soft, whey cow and goat-milk cheese from Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, while Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese is granular or crumbly to clammy and made from cow milk.
What Is Brunost Cheese?
Brunost, or "brown cheese," is a distinctly Norwegian dairy product, often classified as a cheese, though it differs from traditional cheeses. It is made by boiling down the whey of goat's milk, cow's milk, or a combination of both, until the water evaporates, and the natural milk sugars caramelize. This process gives Brunost its unique brown color, sweet caramel-like flavor, and fudge-like texture. It is commonly sliced thin and served on bread, crispbreads, or waffles.
What Is Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese?
Ennstaler Steirerkas is a traditional cheese from Austria, specifically from the district of Liezen in the north-western part of Styria. It is a sour milk cheese made from raw or pasteurized skimmed cow's milk. The cheese is formed into a truncated cone weighing up to 4 kg and is made without rennet, using only acid coagulation. It is known for its crumbly texture and distinctive aroma, with a sour, strong, and piquant flavor. The cheese matures over at least three weeks, developing a dry, brownish or greyish surface with a layer of green or white mold. The interior is marbled, pale brown to brown-grey, with a granular or crumbly texture. The cheese is influenced by the local alpine flora, which contributes to its unique flavor and aroma.
What's the Difference Between Brunost Cheese and Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese?
- Milk type: Brunost Cheese (cow's and goat's milk), Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese (Cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Brunost Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized), Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese (Raw or pasteurized skimmed milk)
- Texture: Brunost Cheese (semi-soft, whey), Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese (Granular or crumbly to clammy)
- Rind: Brunost Cheese (natural), Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese (Dry, brownish or greyish, covered with green or white mold)
- Taste: Brunost Cheese (caramel, sweet), Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese (Sour, strong, piquant, spicy to sharp)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Brunost Cheese | Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway And Sweden | — |
| Specific Origin | — | District Of Liezen, North-Western Part Of Styria |
| Milk Type | Cow's and goat's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or unpasteurized | Raw or pasteurized skimmed milk |
| Texture | Semi-soft, whey | Granular or crumbly to clammy |
| Rind | Natural | Dry, brownish or greyish, covered with green or white mold |
| Aging | — | At least three weeks |
| Taste | Caramel, sweet | Sour, strong, piquant, spicy to sharp |
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Where to buy Brunost Cheese and Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese
Brunost Cheese
Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Brunost Cheese Taste Like Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese?
Brunost Cheese reads as caramel, sweet, while Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese brings sour, strong, piquant, spicy to sharp character.
Can You Substitute Brunost Cheese for Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese?
Brunost Cheese can stand in for Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semi-soft, whey bite and body where the recipe calls for granular or crumbly to clammy. Flavor-wise, Brunost Cheese reads as caramel, sweet while Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese brings sour, strong, piquant, spicy to sharp notes.
Which Is Better, Brunost Cheese or Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-soft, whey cheese, go with Brunost Cheese. For a granular or crumbly to clammy profile, Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brunost Cheese suits recipes that want caramel, sweet notes, while Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese fits dishes calling for sour, strong, piquant, spicy to sharp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brunost Cheese the same as Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Brunost Cheese is made from cow and goat milk; Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese uses cow.
Is Brunost Cheese similar to Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Brunost Cheese for Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Brunost Cheese taste like Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese?
Brunost Cheese reads as caramel, sweet, while Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese is sour, strong, piquant, spicy to sharp.
What is Brunost Cheese made of?
Brunost Cheese is made from cow and goat milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized). It originates in Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
What is Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese made of?
Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese is made from cow milk (raw or pasteurized skimmed milk), using not used rennet. It's typically aged at least three weeks.
Which should I choose, Brunost Cheese or Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brunost Cheese is semi-soft, whey, while Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese is granular or crumbly to clammy.
See full profiles: Brunost Cheese and Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese.