Saturday, February 16, 2013

Svensk Ost/Swedish Cheese


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.






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