Abertam cheese is a short-maturing, sheep’s milk cheese from the Czech Republic with a strong flavor. It is often used as a processed cheese but is also delicious as a table cheese. It pairs well with beer and sweeter wines and can be used in recipes such as fondue and grilled sandwiches. It is considered a farm or artisan cheese and may not be widely available in grocery stores.
Abertam cheese originates from the Czech Republic, produced near the famous spa town of Karlovy Vary. It is a short-maturing cheese, which takes only 2 months to produce. Most frequently used as a processed cheese, it is also delicious as a table cheese, despite its hard texture.
Abertam is considered a farm or artisan cheese, due to its simple creation process. Made from sheep’s milk, the cheese has an intense flavour. The varied diet of mountain sheep in the Czech Republic is considered essential for the production of abertam, giving it a deep and strong flavor characteristic of sheep’s milk cheeses.
As a farmhouse cheese, Abertam may not be widely available in grocery stores, but it’s a welcome addition to cheese tastings and platters. Because of its exceptionally strong flavor, cheese is often paired with beer, perhaps a stout or pilsner. Like most sheep’s milk cheeses, it pairs well with sweeter wines. A combination of this Czech delicacy and a muscat would make an excellent and strong finish to a wine and cheese flight, sure to knock off the socks of cheesy novices.
Light yellow cheese is excellent for melting and can be substituted in a variety of recipes to add a pop of flavor. Combine abertam with milk, butter, a little flour, sour cream and spices and melt them slowly for a knockout fondue. In addition to using bread or crackers for dipping, try sour red grapes. As an appetizer in early autumn, the abertam cheese fondue pairs wonderfully with freshly in-season crunchy apples and makes for a hearty, flavorful snack. Spicy cheese will bring out the best in apples and return the favor by adding a tart bite to the fondue.
If cheddar has finally consumed you like melted cheese, reinvigorate grilled sandwiches with this Czech cheese. Use a delicate bread, such as a sweet French roll, ciabatta, or hearty whole wheat, and butter it thoroughly on both sides before grilling. Add the sliced tomato or, if you prefer, reheat the tomato soup and pour it over the sandwich, making sure to warm you up on the coldest days of winter.
While still relatively obscure in the cheese world, it’s worth seeking out. Understanding the complexity of its flavor is a must for any cheese lover, especially those drawn to stronger cheeses. Look for abertam in your delicatessen or specialty food store and start experimenting with this farmhouse cheese as soon as possible.
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