Here’s where you can find out what does muenster cheese taste like, muenster cheese facts, how to store muenster, and more!
Is it a cheeky “horror” show from the 80s? (Nope, that’s The Munsters)…
… Or a food? Muenster is the American “imitation” of French Munster.
Muenster Cheese has established itself as a staple ingredient in most dishes today: It melts quickly and easily, and adds a smooth, mild with just enough slightly pungent flavor that reminds you that you are having a delicious cheese experience.
And in recent years, it has become more relevant in the food business because it can be used in many different ways, like a topping for pizza, a part of pasta dishes, as an appetizer, slices in hamburgers, and many other things.
However, it is usually added to various recipes for its tasting properties.
That’s because it contributes greatly to the overall appeal of the meal.
Hence, cheese makes an excellent choice as an ingredient in both flavor and texture.
So, we can say that in terms of consistency, most people like muenster cheese.
It’s elegant and velvety due to its lengthy and laborious manufacturing process.
But there are also particular ways to handle the muenster that will make it last longer.
Like, what does muenster cheese taste like?
Can you eat the outer part of muenster cheese?
How to tell if muenster cheese has gone bad?
If you’ve been curious about trying this delicious cheese, you’ve come to the right place!
Read on to discover what muenster is and how to extend its shelf life.
What is Muenster Cheese?
American Muenster is a pale and orange-colored, semi-soft cheese.
This kind of cheese is made from pasteurized cow’s milk.
The orange rind comes from annatto, which is sweet and nutty, and used to flavor and color other cheeses like Cheddar, Colby, Red Leicester, and Mimolette.
Also, muenster has a mild taste and a smooth, soft texture.
But when it is aged well, it can get a strong taste and smell.
And because this cheese melts well, it is often served as an appetizer.
It is also used in grilled cheese sandwiches, tuna melts, quesadillas, cheeseburgers, macaroni and cheese, and pizza.
What Does Muenster Cheese Taste Like?
The flavor of Muenster cheese can best be described as mild.
And most of the time, this kind of cheese is eaten when it is still in its early stage, so it doesn’t have as much time to get stronger as some other, more pungent cheeses.
Also, this cheese is generally thought to have a light taste as long as it is consumed within a reasonable timeframe after it has been aged.
Therefore, it is not like cream cheese, blue cheese, gouda cheese, provolone cheese, or Swiss cheese.
But despite its mild flavor, Muenster has a salty bite to it that sets it apart.
And since it already appears to have seasoning on it, this cheese is excellent for melting, which is why it is so convenient to use.
However, some people might not like it because of its orange rind, which makes it look like it’s spicy, even though it doesn’t have any chili seasonings in it.
In fact, muenster cheese has an earthy and rich flavor, but there is no hint of spice.
So, you shouldn’t be thrown off by the orange skin that covers this cheese.
About the History of Muenster Cheese
Muenster cheese is an imitation of the Alsatian washed-rind version of munster cheese that German immigrants introduced to the United States.
And from there, muenster has evolved into the cheese that most of us love today.
The spelling “muenster” is what sets this American cheese apart from the French AOC Munster cheese, which is made with unpasteurized cow’s milk.
The term also applies to any imported muenster cheese from non-US countries according to Code of Federal Regulations Title 21.
In addition, muenster cheese has three variations: the Alsatian munster, French munster-gerome, and American muenster.
All three differ in process, style, flavor, and texture.
How Is Muenster Cheese Made?
The manufacturing procedure for traditional Alsatian Munster cheese and the production process for Muenster cheese are strikingly similar.
But each cheese manufacturer will make it slightly differently because of how they produce cheese.
As a matter of fact, most cheesemakers start the process of making cheese by heating pasteurized cow’s milk to about 90°F.
However, only a small percentage of cheesemakers utilize goat’s milk.
The mesophilic lactic acid is activated at the said temperature, which will lead to the production of the enzyme that causes the milk to become more solid and change into curds.
Then, the curds are cut into small squares and should be quickly cooked at a temperature of 100°F (38°C).
After this process has been completed, the curds are shaped with a ladle and then drained by putting light pressure on them.
Also, they start to get old when it’s cold, and there’s a lot of humidity.
Then, salty water and an orange-red colorant are added to the cheese.
The time required for the maturing process might range anywhere from three weeks to three months, depending on the size of the cheese.
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Ways to Use Muenster Cheese
Naturally, there is no shortage of uses and recipes using muenster cheese.
It is extremely versatile and adaptable to any dish as it has excellent melting properties and perfect elasticity.
You can simply prepare a grilled cheese sandwich with just the muenster cheese or prepare it as an appetizer on its own.
Stuff some glorious mushrooms with muenster with this Stuffed Mushrooms recipe!
Here’s our list of grilled cheese sandwich recipes, and muenster belongs on all of them.
It’s also great in pasta, quesadillas, cheeseburgers, and grilled sandwiches.
Muenster is also a great choice for meat, beef, or chicken dishes that makes a great layered flavor with other types of cheese.
It mixes nicely into a dipping cheese or for soft pretzels, do a beer cheese dip like a pro.
And level up the sophistication of your next fondue night with this three-cheese combo fondue.
Add cutouts of luscious muenster to a holiday cheese board, add to a charcuterie selection like this one or squares of muenster to a platter for deli cuts for DIY sandwiches.
And if you wish to pair it with wine, there are a variety of white and red wines that you can serve it with.
For white wine, it pairs best with Riesling.
Can you eat the outside part of muenster cheese?
As we have mentioned earlier, muenster cheese has an orange rind around its edges.
Yes, the orange rind of the Muenster cheese is edible, even though it might seem strange at first.
It’s safe to eat, but it conflicts with the smooth texture of the white cheese.
The orange rind comes from the vegetable coloring or the small amount of paprika added to the cheese while it was being made.
However, the salty taste of the rind does make any dish taste better.
Is muenster cheese a good melting cheese?
“Is Muenster a good melting cheese?” has only one right answer.
Absolutely!
Is muenster stringy when it melts? Yes and no. When fully heated, it is less elastic or “stringy” than mozzarella with a bit of saucy melt to it. So it doesn’t have the long “pull” of mozzarella, but it isn’t as loose as queso.
This cheese with a washed rind melts very well and is likely the best melter cheese.
It goes great with many different foods and is best served as a snack with beer or wine.
It also pairs well with more pungent cheeses and is an excellent addition to mac and cheese.
And when you use muenster cheese on a grilled sandwich, you’ll definitely love how the cheese spreads out and oozes over the sides of the bread.
How long does muenster cheese last?
Some kinds of cheese last a very long time when kept in the refrigerator.
However, the situation is different for the muenster cheese.
This is mainly because Muenster cheese is usually sold in thin slices, making it less strong than those cheese that comes in blocks.
And most of the time, sliced Muenster cheese bought from a store and put in the fridge will stay good for about three weeks.
The cheesemakers suggest using it sooner, especially if the package has already been opened.
But if you want your Muenster to last longer, you shouldn’t cut it until you have the necessity to use it.
Like what we have just said, muenster block cheese usually lasts longer than other types of cheese.
So, if your Muenster cheese is bought in a block, you can expect it to stay good for more than six weeks.
I did freeze a wedge of Muenster at one point for over six months.
I let it thaw in the refrigerator when I was ready to use it. It was not as smooth as before it went in but it tasted the same, even if it didn’t look the same.
How to tell if muenster cheese has gone bad
Mold is usually the best indication.
Even though Muenster cheese has a usual shelf-life of three weeks, it could still go bad before this time if it has been cut.
Especially if you’ve already opened it but haven’t done anything with it yet.
The good thing is that when Muenster has gone bad, it’s easy to tell because the edges of the slices will start to break, and the cheese will get darker.
So, it’s not hard to figure out what it is.
If the cheese has gone bad, you might even see the first signs of mold on the slices.
But if you’ve already cut your Muenster into slices and notice mold growth a few days after, you should throw them away.
On the other hand, if your Muenster is already in a block and the mold is only on the surface, you can easily cut away the mold.
But most of the time, you can still consume the cheese closer to the center of the block without any adverse effects.
Simply put the cheese that can be eaten in a clean container and consume it within the following days.
The bottom line
Muenster cheese is a cow’s milk, semi-soft cheese that quickly melts.
That is why it is popular even today.
Many people find it easy to cook and bake with because it melts so well.
Its salty orange rind can also be eaten and is a great way to add flavor.
Muenster is one of my favorite choices for mac n cheese, sandwiches, fondue and more because it’s mild, nutty and smooth!
Easy Muenster Cheese Fondue
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Ingredients
- ½ lb muenster: chunked rind removed
- ½ lb baby Swiss: chunked
- ½ c mild cheddar: freshly shredded
- 1 c heavy cream
- 1 c whole milk
- 1 T butter
- 1 t yellow or stone-ground mustard
- 1 t onion powder
- Several turns of cracked black pepper
Instructions
- To a heavy sauce pan, add all ingredients.
- While on low, stir occasionally with a wooden spoon.
- Stir until fully melted and combined.
- It should slowly roll off the wooden spoon but not stick.
- If it’s too thick, drizzle milk into the pot a tablespoon at a time while stirring.
- Start up your fondue pot and keep on low.
- Transfer cheese mixture to fondue pot.
- Add salt and pepper to taste
- Dip foods like cooked steak, chicken or shrimp; apple slices or grapes; chunks of french bread; vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower florets, parboiled carrot “coins” or asparagus tips.
