Kitchen Dictionary: Havarti

A semisoft pale yellow cow’s milk cheese with small irregular holes that is popular as a dessert cheese served with fruit and wine. Havarti was created in the 19th century by cheese maker Hanne Nielsen, who studied European methods and then developed this cheese on her farm in Denmark. Havarti is available in flavors ranging from mildly sharp to strongly aromatic. Havarti aged for about three months is full-flavored and creamy, and it gains a more distinctive taste as it ages. It may also be produced with extra cream or seasonings, including, dill and other herbs, spices, jalapeño peppers, or caraway seeds. A versatile table cheese that works well sliced, grilled, and melted for sandwiches and snacks.

Ingredient

Season: available year-round

How to store: Can be kept for at least two weeks, when carefully wrapped and refrigerated.

How to prepare: A versatile table cheese that works well sliced, grilled, and melted. Easy to slice and melt, it’s an excellent choice for sandwiches and snacks.

Matches well with: figs, raisins, walnuts, hearty bread, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, light-bodied Pinot Noir wine