What Is Norwegian Brown Cheese? And What Should You Do With It?
Brown cheese from Scandinavian Gifts in Gulf Gate.
Image: Caleb Guedes-Reed
When it comes to cheese, you may think first of classics like mozzarella, parmigiano reggiano and provolone. And if you’re a well-versed cheese lover, you likely enjoy brie, Gruyère and pungent pecorino. But even dedicated cheese aficionados may not be aware of a unique cheese that boasts a brown color and a taste that will transport you to a world of salted caramel bliss. The cheese in question is brown cheese—also known as brunost or mysost in Norwegian.
As I think back to a dreamy summer I spent in Oslo, one culinary memory stands out: spreading mouthwatering layers of this cheese on my morning bread and then slathering it with strawberry jam. The marriage of the cheese's salty, buttery goodness with the tart twang of berries created a flavor explosion that complemented my morning coffee—a match made in breakfast heaven.
Brown cheese with jam makes for an excellent breakfast.
Image: Caleb Guedes-Reed
But indulging in this foreign delicacy doesn’t require a summer vacation amid Norway's majestic fjords. Instead, you can embark on your own culinary adventure right here in Sarasota, at Scandinavian Gifts Baked Goods & Grocery, which carries Synnøve Brunost, Norway’s most popular brown cheese brand.
Brown cheese is traditionally crafted using either pure goat's milk or goat's milk blended with cow's cream. The cheese-making process involves simmering the milk until the natural sugars in the milk caramelize, resulting in a distinctive brown hue and an irresistible flavor.
Brown cheese slices with ease.
Image: Caleb Guedes-Reed
It boasts a smooth and creamy texture reminiscent of fudge and can be sliced or spread onto your favorite bread or cracker (known as knekkebrød in Norwegian), making it a popular choice for breakfast or as a snack.
Pamela Stepsky is the visionary behind Scandinavian Gifts and opened it 33 years ago. The Gulf Gate shop has an enchanting ambiance, adorned with beautiful Finnish Marimekko mugs, Scandinavian cookbooks, Swedish chocolates and an array of frozen baked Danish goods, which are the store's best sellers and main attractions. Stepsky was inspired to open the shop by her memories of working in her mother's Scandinavian store in western New York. She will happily share her insights about anything in the store, including, of course, brown cheese.
Scandinavian Gifts Baked Goods and Grocery is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and is located at 2166 Gulf Gate Drive, Sarasota. For more information call (941) 923-4313 or visit the shop's website.
