Ski Queen (Gjetost)!

I know, Constant Readers, I know.  This blog post is a day late.  But lucky for us, Cheese Cheese Everywhere is never a dollar short.  We always give full value for money here.

Today’s cheese is something very different from the usual cheeses we try.  It was based on a recommendation from SHhhhhh!!!!! and CDT so blame them if you don’t like it.  Of course, if you do like it, you can thank me for making you aware of its existence.

Ski Queen (http://www.norseland.ca/en/cheeses/ski-queen) is a Norwegian whey cheese.  It’s also known as Gjetost (which is Norwegian for goat cheese).  Truth is I’m not sure which is the name of the cheese and which is the brand, it’s all a little confusing.  Apparently, it’s also known as ski cheese because it’s supposed to be a good snack for when you’re out on the slopes  Whatever you want to call it, I have another word for it:  interesting.

 It truly is like no other cheese I’ve seen before.  First, it comes in this square red packaging, which seems odd.  Then you unwrap and you think it’s in a brown box.  But no, that’s the actual cheese.  Brown cheese!  So you try to slice off a piece and it’s firm, very firm.  You get a piece off and put it in your mouth and?  And what?  How do I describe the taste?  Caramel?  Fudge?  Like cheese dipped in chocolate?  But you definitely know it’s cheese.  Maybe not when you first take a bite but then the aftertaste hits you and you’re like “yep, there’s the cheese”.  I found it disorienting, actually.  It makes me question things I thought I knew.  I’m not sure if I like it or not.  I’m not sure if I’ll ever be sure if I like it or not.  If you have a lot of uncertainty in your life, don’t buy this cheese.  It will just add more uncertainty.

I can’t see myself eating this cheese by itself.  Or even on crackers, as I think the taste is too strong and would overwhelm the cracker.  I also found it very salty, which is another reason to eat it with something else.  But, if I paired it with other foods, it might be good. SHhhhhh!!!!! says it’s good on Norwegian pancakes (or crepes) with raspberry jam.  And I’ve read it’s quite good in a fondue.  CDT says she hates the cheese.

One last thing… I don’t think this cheese is sold everywhere.  I bought mine at Boushey’s Fruit Market on Elgin, which you may remember from last Friday’s post.  Also, it’s kind of expensive. 14.99$ for 500g.  I suppose you are getting a fair quantity of cheese for that price, and it does have a fairly long shelf life,  The one I bought is good until October 1st.  Still, 15$ all at once seems like a lot.

This cheese was definitely outside the box (off the rind?).  I’m glad I tried it but I don’t know if I’ll buy it again.

Stay cheesy!

Captain Cheese