How to Make Havarti Cheese | Homemade Havarti Recipe - Cultures For Health (2024)

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  • by CFH Admin
  • June 23, 2022
  • 3 min read

How to Make Havarti Cheese | Homemade Havarti Recipe - Cultures For Health (1)


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Havarti is an interior-ripened cheese that is rindless and smooth with small and irregular openings (“eyes”). It has a cream to yellow color and an aroma that can be somewhat sharp in the stronger varieties. The taste is buttery, from somewhat sweet to very sweet, and it is slightly acidic.


INGREDIENTS AND EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE AT CULTURES FOR HEALTH

Fresh Cheese Making Kit

How to Make Havarti Cheese | Homemade Havarti Recipe - Cultures For Health (5)

Fresh Cheese Making Kit

$45.99

Our most comprehensive choice, the Fresh Cheese Kit contains two starter cultures and supplies to make five different varieties of soft cheese - feta, cottage cheese, cream cheese, fromage blanc, and traditional quark. Kit contains a Mesophilic Cheese Culture, a Fresh Cheese Culture, calcium chloride, vegetable rennet, cheese salt, butter muslin, a thermometer, and an instruction and recipe booklet.

Packaging andEquipment in the kit may appear different than pictured.

Liquid Animal Rennet

How to Make Havarti Cheese | Homemade Havarti Recipe - Cultures For Health (6)

Liquid Animal Rennet

$9.49

High quality single strength animal rennet. This non-GMO animal rennet is preferred for aged cheese as it creates a more desirable flavor and aroma during the aging process. Each bottle contains enough rennet to set (12) 2-gallon batches of cheese.

Cheese Salt

How to Make Havarti Cheese | Homemade Havarti Recipe - Cultures For Health (7)

Cheese Salt

$5.99

An easy-to-dissolve, iodine-free salt perfect for cheesemaking.

Butter Muslin

How to Make Havarti Cheese | Homemade Havarti Recipe - Cultures For Health (8)

Butter Muslin

$5.99

Butter Muslin is a tightly woven cloth, similar to cheesecloth, used for draining, pressing, andstrainingsoft cheeses, yogurt or milk kefir. Butter muslin cloth also works as a breathable jar cover for all sorts of fermenting applications.

Danisco Direct Set Starter Culture For Cheese MM100

How to Make Havarti Cheese | Homemade Havarti Recipe - Cultures For Health (9)

Danisco Direct Set Starter Culture For Cheese MM100

$10.99

For soft-ripened and fresh (unripened) cheeses including brie, camembert, havarti, gouda, edam, feta, blue, chevre, and more!

Click to download our free Cheesemaking Recipe Book today, which includes tips and tricks for making delicious homemade cheese.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 gallons whole cow milk
  • ½ tsp.MM100 Mesophilic Starter Culture
  • ½ tsp.liquidrennet
  • Cheese saltor other non-iodized salt

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Heatmilk overlow heat to 70°F.
  2. Turn offthe heat.Sprinklethe starter over the surface of the milk, and allow it to rehydrate for5 minutes.Stirin with a whisk,usingup-and-down motions, for1 minute.Coverandmaintainthe temperature at70°Ffor45 minutesto allow the milk to ripen.
  3. Turnthe heat back on andraise the temperature slowlyto86°F. After the milk has reached this temperature,addthe diluted rennet bypouringit through a slotted spoon into the milk. Thenstirit in for about1 minute, using an up-and-down motion.
  4. Coverthe pot andlet it situndisturbed, for35-40 minutes, or until you have achieved a clean break between curds and whey.
  5. Maintainthe temperature of the milk at86°F.Cut the curdsinto ½-inch pieces;stirthem for10 minutes, then let them rest for5 minutes, covered.
  6. Ladleout about ⅓ of the whey in the pot, then add3 cupsof hot(130°F)water. When the temperature in the pot reaches92-94°F,add 3 more cupsof hot water. Stir5 minutes, thenadd 2 more cupsof hot water.
  7. Addsalt and stir it into the curds and whey.Keep addingwater that is130°Fas needed tomaintainthe curds and whey at a temperature of around97°F.Constantly stirthe curds until they begin to feel a bit springy when gently squeezed. This should take about20 minutes.
  8. Ladleoff enough of the whey to expose the curds.
  9. Using dampbutter muslin,linea clean,8-inch tome moldandplaceit on a draining rack.Gently scoopthe warm curds out of the pot with your hands or a cheese spoon into the lined mold.Presscurds into the mold gently with the back of your hand.Pullout any wrinkles in the butter muslin, andfoldthe tails of the cloth over the top of the curds.Placethe follower on top of the covered curds, andpressthe cheese at 8 pounds of pressure for30 minutes.
  10. Takethe cheese out of the mold,peelaway the butter muslin, flip the cheese over, andre-dresswith the muslin.Placeit back into the mold andpressagain at 8 pounds for30 more minutes. Repeat this process for about3-4 hoursor until all the excess whey has been expelled. When pressing is complete,leave cheese in the moldwithout any pressure, out on the kitchen counter for about3 more hours.
  11. Placethe cheese in the refrigerator andleaveit there overnight. It is ready to eat now, as a fresh, young cheese, or continue to age it by brining and storing it, if you choose.

BRINING INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Makea 1/2-gallon of fully saturated brine (32 ounces salt in 1-gallon water) and seal it with a lid.Leavein the refrigerator overnight.
  2. Takethe cheese and the brine out of the refrigerator andplacethem together into a non-corrosive container with a lid.Placethe covered container of brine and cheese back into the refrigerator for about8 more hours.
  3. Takethe cheese out of the brine andpatit dry with clean paper towels.Placeit on a rack to air-dry on the counter forabout 12 hours, away from drafts and direct sunlight.
  4. Agethe cheese at50°-55°Fand85% humidityfor1 month, or as long you wish to age it.Flipthe cheese about3 timesper week during the aging period andremoveany unwanted mold with cheesecloth soaked in brine.

Have you ever wanted to make your homemade cheese? Download our free Cheesemaking Guide and Recipe book today.

Ready to Learn More?

  • Brining Hard Cheeses
  • Cheese Storage and Aging
  • Ripening Boxes and Caves
  • Overview of Cheese Cultures: Mesophilic Starters
  • Techniques and Tips for Adding Ingredients in Cheesemaking

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How to Make Havarti Cheese | Homemade Havarti Recipe - Cultures For Health (2024)

FAQs

Is Havarti cheese healthy? ›

While it is high in fat, it is important to remember that not all fats are bad for you. In fact, the monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats found in Havarti cheese can actually help promote heart health. Plus, the calcium content strengthens bones and teeth. However, like all foods, moderation is key.

How is Havarti made? ›

Havarti is made like most cheeses, by introducing rennet to milk to cause curdling. The curds are pressed into cheese molds which are drained, and then the cheese is aged. Havarti was traditionally a smear-rind cheese, but modern flødehavarti is not.

What are the best ways to eat Havarti? ›

Havarti is a table cheese that is suitable for slicing, grilling, or melting. When left at room temperature the cheese tends to soften quickly so it is great on a cheeseboard alongside hard cheeses. It is delicious melted into pasta dishes including macaroni cheese or incorporated into a grilled cheese sandwich.

What is the pH of Havarti cheese? ›

Before the overnight soak the pH should be 6.0-5.8, after the soak, the final pH sould be 5.2.

What is the most healthiest cheese in the world? ›

The 6 Healthiest Cheeses You Should Be Buying
  1. Parmesan. Pictured Recipe: Eggplant Parmesan. ...
  2. Fresh Mozzarella. Pictured Image: Caprese Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms. ...
  3. Cottage Cheese. ...
  4. Ricotta Cheese. ...
  5. Swiss Cheese. ...
  6. Goat Cheese.
Sep 8, 2022

What bacteria is used to make Havarti cheese? ›

Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis bv. diacetylactis and Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. cremoris used in Gouda, Edam, and Havarti are deliberately added to metabolize citric acid to form eyes or expand mechanical openings.

What is special about Havarti cheese? ›

Havarti is a semi-soft, Danish-style cheese made from cow's milk and can be easily sliced, grilled or melted. Havarti has a smooth surface, a creamy texture and a sweet, buttery flavor. Young havarti cheese is very mild flavored while older varieties have a saltier, slightly acidic flavor with hints of hazelnut.

Is Havarti cheese a natural cheese? ›

Traditionally containing almost nothing but pasteurized milk, Havarti is a cheese pure in taste and ingredients, making it completely free of gluten in most versions.

What pairs well with Havarti? ›

Havarti pairs well with sweeter, fresh fruits like pear, fig, or Honeycrisp apple. If you like pairing cheese with jam or jelly (who doesn't?), try havarti with a little raspberry jam or honey. And, of course, don't forget to include walnuts, crackers, or some crusty bread for some crunch.

Can you eat Havarti cheese raw? ›

This is about the best raw cheese I've ever tried for snacking on. And the fact that it comes from grass fed cows is a plus. Delish!

What meat goes best with Havarti cheese? ›

Soppressata, a dry salami, can be made with both pork or beef. Whichever kind you choose, you can't go wrong pairing it with havarti, a creamy, semi-soft cheese. Havarti's supple, buttery taste allows the herbs and spices in the soppressata to shine through while drawing out the nutty, earthy notes of the cheese.

Does cheese increase urine pH? ›

A diet high in fish, meat products, or cheese can decrease your urine pH.

Is Havarti cheese high in histamines? ›

Here are some dietary changes that may be helpful: Avoiding or limiting high-histamine foods such as aged cheeses, cured meats, and fermented foods. Opting for fresher cheeses, including Havarti, which generally have lower histamine levels. Choosing fresh, unprocessed foods and ingredients.

Is Havarti a smelly cheese? ›

Havarti is smooth, with no rind, and creamy to pale yellow in color, with very small and irregular “eyes”. It has a buttery aroma, and the stronger varieties can be sharper and nuttier, on the order of Swiss cheese.

Which soft cheese is the healthiest? ›

Mozzarella

Mozzarella is a soft cheese that was first made in Italy. It is usually made from buffalo or cow's milk. Mozzarella is relatively low in fat and calories. This makes it a healthier cheese option compared to others.

Does Havarti cheese raise blood sugar? ›

Cheese has a low glycemic index (GI), meaning that it releases glucose slowly and will not trigger significant blood glucose spikes. People often consume cheese alongside other foods, however, and some of these may spike blood glucose.

Why Havarti is the best cheese? ›

Being a semi-hard cheese, it has a springy texture with subtle sweet and acidic notes. Lusciously smooth, Havarti is balanced and mild enough to suit all palates, with the piquant flavors harmonizing perfectly with salads, sandwiches as well as on its own.

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