Harzer
Harzer is a German sour milk cheese from the Harz mountains, made from low fat curd cheese and usually seasoned with caraway. It is known for its strong smell and flavor, almost no fat, and about 30% protein.
Key Facts
| Country of Origin | Germany |
| Specific Origin | Harz mountain region, Germany |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk |
| Fat Content | Less than 1% |
| Rind | White mold or red mold |
| Texture | Firm |
| Flavor | Tangy |
| Aroma | Strong |
| Colors | Pale white |
| Forms | Small rounds, cylinders |
| Age | A few days to a few weeks |
| Also Known As | Handkäse, Taler, Stangenkäse, Harzer Rolle |
What is Harzer Cheese?
Harzer comes from the Harz mountain region south of Braunschweig in Germany. It is a sour milk cheese, and the name covers several closely related shapes and styles.
The base is low fat curd cheese. Caraway is the usual seasoning. Some varieties are made as white mold cheeses and others as red mold cheeses, and the red mold type generally tastes stronger. Both kinds mature for anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, which is when the aroma builds.
Small round pieces are sold as Handkäse or Taler; when those rounds are packed in a cylindrical wrapper, the result is called Harzer Rolle. A long cylindrical form goes by Stangenkäse. The smell and the flavor are both pronounced.
Nutritionally it is unusual: less than 1% fat and around 30% protein. For that reason it turns up in special diets and in sport nutrition.
How Does Harzer Cheese Compare?
The most relevant cheeses to compare Harzer against.
