One of my first Swedish friends, Louise from Göteborg , is crazy about cheese. Every time I went to her house she served a wonderful spread of cheeses, fruit and crackers. Before I met Louise I liked cheese, but after I experienced her cheese service I enjoyed cheese on a new level. I found that the cheese she loves is not just any cheese, it's Swedish Cheese.
Now, I have been to France and I have enjoyed their cheese, but I have to say Swedish Cheese has defiantly been over looked for way too long.
I hate to say it but I think one of the only reasons French
Cheeses are better known in United States is because of the French's abilities
to market their products to Americans. I think if Swedes came to the US with
the same confidence the French have in their cheese, Swedish Cheese would
be a mainstay in the American Food Industry.
This cheese market is called Bengtson's Ost, located in Lund right across the street
from St. Jacobs Bakery (the place I wrote about on Valentine's Day). I have
never seen such a large space dedicated to cheese and cheese only. Not only do
they have the best and most unique Swedish Cheeses, they also have cheese from
all over the world. The shop owner, Lars is pictured above and he was really
sweet about letting me wonder around the shop to take a million photos. From
talking with him a bit I realized that my knowledge of Swedish Cheese is still
very limited. I will update you all on what types Swedish Ost (cheese in Swedish) are not to be missed. So
far my favorites are Prast and Graddost.
