ALPS CHEESE extra spicy, extra spicy – lactose-free – Cheese Wheel Made from natural cow’s milk with 45% FDM | Whole cheese wheel | 8.1 kg weight
The Alpine Dairy Cheese Wheel extra spicy, also known as Master Cheesemaker Alps Cheese, is a traditional cheese with a long history in our dairy that stands out for its exceptional quality.
Made from the finest pasture milk, or alpine hay milk as it’s locally known and protected, sourced from cows raised in natural habitats and fed exclusively on fresh grass and hay from the Vorarlberg Alpine meadows, this cheese embodies the authentic taste of the region.
With a maturation period of at least four months, this semi-hard cheese develops a robust, spicy aroma that enthusiasts of traditional cheese varieties love.
The semi-firm, aromatic texture of this cheese wheel melts delicately in the mouth, unfolding a harmonious flavor profile that blends mild and spicy notes. This unique combination makes Alpine cheese a versatile kitchen companion and a delightful treat for every meal.
Lactose-free Alpine Cheese: The natural milk sugar in our hay milk cheese wheel is broken down by lactic acid bacteria. Result: lactic acid plus extraordinary flavor and aroma development.
The semi-hard cheese wheel is also lactose-free, making it accessible to people with lactose intolerance without compromising on flavor.
The quality of this cheese is based not only on the craftsmanship of the dairy but also on the valuable nutrients of the alpine milk. The pure hay milk, rich in natural flavors and nutrients, gives the cheese its characteristic texture and unique aroma.
The Alps Cheese extra spicy is not just a taste sensation but also a piece of alpine tradition that can be felt in every bite.
It is the ideal cheese for those who place the highest value on quality and authentic enjoyment. Enjoy the special care and artisan expertise that go into every wheel.
For those who prefer a less spicy option, we recommend the Masterpiece of the Dairy, with a maturation period of at least 3 months HERE.
Buy the Alpine cheese in time for your raclette. In its original packaging, it can be stored in the refrigerator for at least 2 months. For raclette, you’ll need approximately 200 to 250 g of cheese per person.
Our extra spicy Alps Cheese belongs to the family of our spicy cheese varieties in our shop overview.
The Current Dairy Master’s Recommendation!
The cheese flavor is extra spicy-aromatic and becomes more piquant with age.
Despite its strong aroma, this semi-hard cheese remains tenderly melting, making it perfect for raclette or a cheese platter – or as a component of any charcuterie board.
The characteristic qualities of this dairy cheese are deeply influenced by the high-quality milk from alpine cows raised in natural habitats, its nutrients and texture, and the Vorarlberg Alpine meadows.
This results in the exceptional quality of Alpine cheese.
Historical Background of Vorarlberg Cheese
Cheese has been produced and matured in Vorarlberg’s alpine and valley dairies since the beginning of the last century.
The production method of “fat cheese-making” (as opposed to lean cheese-making, e.g., Sura Käs in Montafon) originated in Switzerland and quickly spread in the Bregenzerwald.
Semi-hard cheeses are made from natural (non-thermized, non-pasteurized, or non-centrifugal sterilized) raw milk (hay milk) with at least 45% FDM.
Thanks to the small-scale farming operations that supply the raw materials and the tradition of alpine dairy production, the artisan production and traditional care of high-quality cheeses have been preserved to this day.
More interesting details about semi-hard cheese can be found on Wikipedia.
Alps Cheese Cheese Holes
The Alps Cheese extra spicy features a soft texture with cherry pit- to hazelnut-sized holes.
The Rind of Alps Cheese
Alps Cheese extra spicy has a rubbed brown-yellow rind.
Storage and Aging of the Alps Cheese Wheel
The Alps Cheese is aged for at least 4 months in the cheese cellar, resulting in a unique cheese flavor. Its aromatic flavor becomes more piquant with age.
Special Quality Features of Our Semi-Hard Cheeses
- The rind of the cheese is formed when the wheels are immersed in a iodine-free salt bath after shaping.
- The salt bath promotes rind formation and acts against bacteria. Depending on the type of cheese, the wheels remain in the bath for varying periods.
- The salt draws water out of the cheese wheel. Afterwards, the cheese wheels are regularly treated with iodine-free salt & brine until fully matured.
Gastronomic Delight
The special feature of the Alps Cheese extra spicy is its robust, aromatic, and unique cheese flavor.
Alps Cheese Intensity
How mild or spicy is the cheese? We rate it on a scale from 0 (mild) to 10 (spicy).
7/10
Alps Cheese Texture
How firm is the cheese? We rate it on a scale from 0 (soft) to 10 (hard).
6/10
Alps Cheese Aging Time
How long was the cheese aged? We measure aging time between 1 to 12 months.
4/12
Additional Details about Alps Cheese , Extra Spicy, from Hay Milk®
Milk: | 100% from silage-free hay milk |
Type of Cheese: | Lactose-free semi-hard cheese (SH) |
Aging Process: | Lactic acid and/or fermentation aging / surface aging in the cheese cellar with salt treatment and red culture |
Cheese Flavor Profile: | Aromatic, robust |
Aging Time: | 4 months |
FDM: | At least 45% |
Fat Absolute: | Approx. 30% |
Allergens: | No other allergens besides milk components |
Lactose: | Not present |
Rennet: | Natural animal rennet |
Salt: | Iodine-free table salt |
What defines the cheese’s character? | Semi-hard cheese with robust cheese aroma |
How does it taste? | Extra spicy but not sharp. Pleasant and enjoyable daily without becoming monotonous |
Texture and consistency? | Semi-hard, smooth cheese texture |
Color of the cheese? | Matte yellow to sunny yellow – depending on the season |
Aroma of the cheese? | Pleasant, intense cheese aroma, slightly tangy |
Holes in the cheese? | Occasional cherry pit-sized holes |
Best ways to enjoy it? | Perfect for raclette or hearty snacks, as well as sandwiches |
Signs of suboptimal aging or quality? | The cheese should be semi-firm, not mushy. |
If you plan to store large pieces or an entire Alps Cheese extra spicy wheel for more than 2-3 weeks, we recommend using a kitchen towel.
Take a clean kitchen towel, soak it in salt water (add a little salt), wring it out, and wrap the cheese in the damp towel. Repeat this process every 2-3 days for best results.
If the cheese develops a slight white coating or spots, this is usually salt or protein crystallizing due to temperature differences. Simply wipe off these areas.
Using aluminum foil is possible (though not recommended) if it has numerous small holes for airflow.
Avoid Bread Contact - Yeast Issues
Avoid storing or cutting cheese on surfaces previously used for bread. Yeast residues from bread can cause rapid mold growth.
Bianca Wiehl (verified owner) –
Super taste, spicy, exactly as described. A pleasure, that’s why we try them as well as other varieties.
Noddy Gellings (verified owner) –
The alps cheese tastes great to the whole family and the daughter-in-law has become very happy about this cheese loaf as a birthday present.
Many thanks and greetings
noddy