Cheese master Thomas Rudin. Photo: Erik Hillbom
Västerbottensost – a love story between a country and a cheese With an exquisite and inimitable flavour, a legendary history dating back to 1872, and a craft passed down through generations of cheese masters, it’s hardly surprising that Västerbottensost has become Sweden’s most beloved cheese. But despite the fact that the cheese is mostly known for its unique flavour and has been served both at royal dinners and Nobel banquets, it still remains a mystery how the characteristic flavour comes about.
made. At this small dairy, each day is much like any other, and there is a calm pace where the cheese is allowed to decide for itself when it’s ready – because in Burträsk, it is a well-known fact that ample time and diligent care contribute to a richer flavour.
By Linnea Dunne | Photos: Fabian Björnstjerna
Västerbottensost is a hard cheese, matured for at least 14 months. With its unique flavour, combining sweetness, saltiness, bitterness and umami, it is perfect served as it is as part of cheese platters and in all forms of cooking and is enjoyed daily throughout Sweden and beyond. Västerbottensost is a natural part of Swedish holiday feasts, where the characteristic Västerbottensost quiche has become a classic during both 36 | Issue 133 | February 2020
Midsummer and the traditional crayfish parties. In fact, Västerbottensost is so well-liked that it ended up in first place in YouGov’s 2019 Buzz Rankings list of the most positively talked-about brands among Swedish daily goods.
The cheese that won’t move In the small village of Burträsk in northern Sweden, you’ll find Burträsk dairy. Only here, Västerbottensost can be
In fact, the cheese does not take kindly to being moved. Attempts have been made to make it elsewhere, but in vain – something that puzzles many, including the cheese master himself. “Despite using the same recipe, and the same ingredients, getting that exact Västerbottensost taste has been impossible outside of the home dairy. There’s simply something special about the Burträsk dairy and its unique flora that’s required for the real Västerbottensost