🧀 Sbrinz
Also known as: Sbrinz AOP, Sbrinz cheese
Sbrinz is an extra-hard, full-fat Swiss cheese made from raw cow's milk in Central Switzerland, protected as Sbrinz AOP and stored at least 18 months.
Sbrinz is an extra-hard, full-fat Swiss cheese made from raw cow's milk, registered as a protected designation of origin (Sbrinz AOP).
Under the specification (Pflichtenheft) the area covers the cantons of Lucerne, Schwyz, Obwalden, Nidwalden and Zug, plus defined milk catchment areas in St. Gallen and Aargau. The milk must be raw, with no treatment other than cooling, and the farm may be at most 30 km from the dairy. The cows' ration is at least 70% roughage from the natural fodder of the area, and silage is banned on the farms.
The milk is processed in copper vats with specific, mostly thermophilic lactic cultures and rennet. The cut curd is heated to 54-57 °C and pressed for at least 10 hours; the wheels then stay in brine for at least 15 days, are dry-ripened at 12-20 °C for at least 15 days and finally matured standing in a cellar at 9-14 °C. The first 12 months must be spent in the area, and Sbrinz may be released for sale at 18 months at the earliest.
A wheel is 50-62 cm across and weighs 35-48 kg; fat in dry matter is at least 45%. The rind is firm, dry and light to golden yellow. The paste is ivory to light yellow, rather dry and slightly to moderately crumbly, with grainy crystals; the taste is fruity and spicy with light roasted notes. It belongs to Hard cheeses.
Facts
| Raw material | Raw cow's milk |
|---|---|
| Country | Switzerland |
| Region | Lucerne, Schwyz, Obwalden, Nidwalden, Zug and parts of St. Gallen and Aargau |
| Duration | Released for sale at 18 months at the earliest |
| Legal basis | Protected designation of origin Sbrinz AOP (specification 1) |
How it connects to Cheese
🧀 Sbrinz → similar → 🧀 Parmesan → kind of → 🧀 Cheese
Links
- Made from which milk
- 🥛 Cow's milk
- Part of
- 🪨 Hard cheeses, 🇨🇭 Swiss cheeses
- Similar and different
- 🧀 Parmesan
Frequently asked questions
How long is Sbrinz aged?
It may be released for sale at 18 months at the earliest; the first 12 months must be spent in the production area.
What milk and feed does Sbrinz use?
Raw cow's milk with no treatment other than cooling; silage is banned on the farms.
How big is a Sbrinz wheel?
50-62 cm in diameter and 35-48 kg, with at least 45% fat in dry matter.
Similar
🧀 Appenzeller · 🧀 Cheshire · 🧀 Shanklish · 🧀 Red Leicester · 🧀 Mimolette · 🧀 Double Gloucester
ℹ️ Dairy products contain lactose and milk proteins: if you are lactose intolerant or allergic to milk protein, ask a doctor.