Scan Magazine | Special Theme | A Taste of Sweden
Västerbottensost is excellent in cooking and simply gives an outstanding taste to any type of food.
Beloved cheese from a tiny dairy in northern Sweden Burträsk in the county of Västerbotten is home to one of Sweden’s finest national symbols – Västerbottensost®. This delicacy has been produced in the same way since 1872 when the dairy maid Ulrika Eleonora Lindström accidently created the cheese, which still today has a secret recipe only known to a precious few. By Sara Wenkel | Photos: Paulina Holmgren
Västerbottensost has, since the first time it was ever made, only grown in popularity and is today a much-loved, well-trusted piece of the Swedish culinary scene. In 1990, Norrmejerier, the dairy where Västerbottensost is produced, was appointed Royal Purveyor, and the cheese has been on the menu of royal weddings as well as Nobel Prize banquets. Västerbottensost has also become somewhat of a musthave feature on the Swedish seasonal smorgasbord for Midsummer, crayfish parties and Christmas. “One of the most popular ways of enjoying our cheese is by making a quiche with Västerbottensost,” says Helena Ahlgren, brand manager at Västerbottensost. “It is scrumptious to feast on as it is, or you can add some sour cream, fish roe, chopped red onion and dill.” 48 | Issue 85 | February 2016
A confirmation of the Swedes’ love for Västerbottensost was published only a few weeks ago as YouGov Brand Index released their annual list over the mostloved brands in Sweden. Västerbottensost was honoured with a very admirable seventh place, sharing the top with renowned international brands such as Apple, Google and BMW. “It is really flattering that the Swedish people have placed Västerbottensost on the top list alongside some of the biggest brands in the world,” says Ahlgren. “We believe the secret lies in Västerbottensost’s intriguing history and unique taste.”
For more information, please visit: vasterbottensost.com
QUICHE WITH VÄSTERBOTTENSOST: Pastry: 125 g/4.5 oz butter 225g/8 oz plain flour 1 tbsp water Filling: 150 g/5 oz grated Västerbottensost 3 eggs 200 ml/7 fl oz double cream 1 pinch salt 1 pinch pepper Preheat the oven to 225°C/425°F/Gas 7. Mix the ingredients for the pastry. Chill the pastry for at least 1 hour. Use the pastry to line a pie dish, prick base with a fork and bake blind for approx. 10 min. Whisk eggs and cream, add cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Pour the cheese mixture into the pastry case and bake for approx. 20 min, until the pie filling is set. Allow to cool.