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This Swiss semi-hard cows milk cheese is a stunning mountain cheese that is rubbed with a light brine during its maturation.
Origin: Toggenburg region, Canton of St Gallen, Switzerland
Milk: Cow (raw milk)
Rennet Type: Animal rennet
Style: Semi-hard
Classification: Artisan
Shelf Life: 7-10 days, this product is cut to order
Goes well with: Dry Oloroso Sherry, full-bodied and aromatic white wines
Similar cheeses: Appenzeller, Fort Aged Comte, Swiss Gruyère Vieux
Firstkönig (first KER-nich)is a semi-hard Swiss mountain cheese - the literal translation is 'First King' which is an apt description for this great cheese. Named after the Churfirsten mountain range that dominates the region. A mountain cheese (or “Bergkäse”), it is made with whole unpasteurised milk and smeared in a light brine as it matures, giving the rind an amber colour and assisting in the development of its flavour. FirstKönig has a dense, creamy texture with a herbaceous flavour and a delicately spicy finish.
Reto Güntensberg grew up making cheese alongside his father in their traditional family dairy. Bütschwil Dairy is located in the lower Toggenburg region that is well known for making Appenzeller. Reto has now taken over as head cheesemaker and has modernised the facilities. This stunning raw milk cheese is one of his finest.
It is very hard to find Appenzeller cheese in Australia (in general outside of Europe), so Harper & Blohm suggested Firstkoenig as an alternative and I must say I am very impressed. A great tasting alternative, best when it is almost room temperature.
This raw/unpasteurised milk cheese is pretty darn good, isn't it? The complex flavour profile really comes alive when allowed to warm up a bit - long live the first king/Firstkönig!
It is very hard to find Appenzeller cheese in Australia (in general outside of Europe), so Harper & Blohm suggested Firstkoenig as an alternative and I must say I am very impressed. A great tasting alternative, best when it is almost room temperature.
This raw/unpasteurised milk cheese is pretty darn good, isn't it? The complex flavour profile really comes alive when allowed to warm up a bit - long live the first king/Firstkönig!