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BASIC INFO
Pronounced: yay – toast
Names: brown cheese · whey cheese · caramelized cheese · fudge cheese
Origin: Norway
Animal: goat · cow
History: In the 1800s, Norway’s economy suffered from falling food staple profits. As a result, a milkmaid created gjetost. Instead of using curd as the base for cheese, she used the watery milk remains called whey.
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HEALTH INFO
Benefits: great for gluten-free diets · improves bone health · increases energy levels · alleviates depression
Nutritionist: calcium · vitamin B · protein · zinc · no added salt or sugar
Replaces: Nutella · cream cheese · avocado
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WHERE TO BUY
Store: dairy section with the cheeses · specialty cheese shop
Online: Amazon
Shopping Tip: Ask someone at the cheese counter for a tasting. To save money, ask to have the block cut in half.
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HOW TO STORE
Gjetost will last for about 1 month in the refrigerator so long as it’s properly wrapped in plastic or wax paper.
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FUN FACTS
- Gjetost can survive in extreme temperature fluctuations, which is why Norwegian skiers snack on it while on the trails. Thus the gjetost brand name, Ski Queen.
- Since it’s made out of whey instead of cheese, gjetost is not technically cheese, but rather a cheese-like product.
- About a hundred years ago, gjetost was made entirely out of goat’s milk. Today, both goat’s and cow’s milk are mixed in different proportions.
- If you’re feeling ambitious, you can make your own gjetost here. If you don’t have whey, use goat’s milk.
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RECIPES
As Norwegian I love gjetost but living in USA I order 3 lbs . that last me 6 months. I keep my cheese in the fridge in a zip-lock bag so it will not dry out. As for me, I have never known gjetost to ruin!
Hi Bjørn! Haha, sounds like you’re a gjetost ADDICT! It’s one of my favorite food discoveries. Everyone that I introduce it to loves it. What are your favorites ways to eat it?
Tess <3