Gjetost

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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

Gjetost Toast 

Gjetost Fondue 

Gjetost Apple Pie 

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  One thought on “Gjetost

  1. Bjørn Wastvedt
    August 23, 2020 at 9:16 pm

    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!

    • Tess
      August 24, 2020 at 8:08 am

      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

Food for Thought

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