Nokkelost
Nokkelost is a Norwegian cow's milk cheese flavoured with cumin and cloves. It is semi-hard and yellow, sold in wheels or blocks, and matured for three months.
Key Facts
| Country of Origin | Norway |
| Specific Origin | Norway |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk |
| Fat Content | 45% |
| Rind | Natural |
| Texture | Semi-hard |
| Flavor | Nutty, spicy, tangy |
| Colors | Pale yellow |
| Forms | Wheels, blocks |
| Age | 3 months |
| Alternative Spellings | Nøkkelost |
| Also Known As | kuminost |
What is Nokkelost Cheese?
Nokkelost is the Norwegian name for kuminost, or cumin cheese. The name translates as key cheese, and there are competing explanations for it. The likeliest is that it is a false cognate of the Dutch Nagelkaas, meaning nail cheese, after the nail-like shape of whole cloves. Another theory points to the coat of arms of Leiden, since the cheese is a factory-made variation of Dutch Leyden cheese, which dates to the 17th century.
The cheese is made from cow's milk and flavoured with cumin and cloves. It matures for three months and is sold in wheels or blocks.
The paste is semi-hard and yellow, with the spicing carried through it.
A version was made and sold in the United States through the 1960s. Kraft Foods first labelled it Caraway, then switched to Kuminost Spiced Cheese.
How Does Nokkelost Cheese Compare?
The most relevant cheeses to compare Nokkelost against.
