What is herb cheese? Everything about cheese with herbs
Herb cheese is a creamy cheese with herbs, spices or nuts in it. From fresh garden herbs to spicy chili: there is a herb cheese for every taste. But how do the herbs actually get into the cheese? And which herb cheese is the right fit? In this blog you will read all about herb cheese.
What is herb cheese?
Herb cheese is cheese where herbs, spices, vegetables or nuts are added during cheesemaking. Famous classics are cumin cheese and cheese with fenugreek, but nettle, pesto and chili are also popular. The herbs give the cheese its own flavor and often make it look beautiful too.
How is herb cheese made?
Herb cheese is made like regular cheese, with one extra step. After the milk has been curdled and the curds have been cut, the herbs are added to the curds. Then the cheese is formed, pressed and brined. This way the herbs are nicely distributed throughout the cheese.
The Villa herb cheeses at Kaas & Borrelz are farm cheeses made from thermized cow's milk. Thermized means that the milk has been slightly heated: less hot than pasteurization, but still heated, so it is not raw milk. Read more about this difference in our blog about farm cheese, farmstead cheese and factory cheese. The cheeses mature for about 8 weeks. This keeps them creamy and smooth and allows the herbs to really shine.
Our Villa herb cheeses
At Kaas & Borrelz you will find a large selection of Villa herb cheeses:
- Villa Jardin garden herb cheese – with chives, parsley, onion and garlic. Fresh and herbal.
- Villa Ortica nettle cheese – with nettle and garden herbs.
- Villa Nella Italian herb cheese – with black olives, sun-dried tomato and garlic.
- Villa Verde pesto cheese – with pesto and pine nuts.
- Villa Nutmix nut cheese – with walnut, hazelnut and fenugreek. Nutty and slightly sweet.
- Villa Picanto chili cheese – with red pepper, chili and garlic.
- Villa Jalapeño spicy cheese – with jalapeño pepper.
- Villa Chili Fumé spicy smoked cheese – with chili peppers and then smoked.
Do you like sweet and nutty? Then also read our blog about fenugreek in cheese. Prefer a Dutch classic? Read all about cumin cheese.
What is herb cheese delicious in?
- Toastie or panini: creamy herb cheese melts beautifully. Try Villa Nella for an Italian toastie.
- Salad: cubes of Villa Verde or Villa Jardin make any salad tastier.
- Casserole: grate a spicy herb cheese over a casserole or pasta.
- On the snack board: make a board with three herb cheeses: one fresh, one nutty and one spicy. For example Villa Jardin, Villa Nutmix and Villa Picanto.
Frequently asked questions about herb cheese
Is herb cheese farm cheese?
Not always. The Villa herb cheeses are farm cheeses made from thermized milk. Farm cheese is always made from raw milk. Read more in our blog about farm cheese, farmstead cheese and factory cheese.
Which herb cheese is the spiciest?
Villa Picanto, Villa Jalapeño and Villa Chili Fumé are the spiciest herb cheeses. Villa Chili Fumé also has a full smoke flavor.
How do you store herb cheese?
Store herb cheese in the refrigerator and wrap the cut surface well. Read more in our blog about storing cheese.
Conclusion: a herb cheese for every taste
Herb cheese is a creamy cheese with herbs, spices or nuts in it. From fresh garden herbs to spicy chili and smoky Chili Fumé: there is always a herb cheese that suits you. Discover all the Villa herb cheeses at Kaas & Borrelz.
