ALPINE CHEESE very spicy | BERGKÄSE sehr würzig | matured for 12 months | lactose-free Austrian PREMIUM hay milk hard cheese straight from the cheese cellar | strong, spicy cheese enjoyment guarantee

from:  9,56

12 reviews
Result Cheese WM 2024 USA

Our lactose-free extra-long matured mountain cheese gets its tangy aroma from manual care and traditional, hand-scooped production.

Traditionally produced and cared for by hand, this very tangy mountain cheese impresses with its unmistakable spicy aroma. Very aromatic in smell, very spicy in taste.

Basic price: € 29,11/kg

Fresh shipping | every tuesday

No artificial colors/flavors

No fillers

Gluten free

ALPINE CHEESE, very spicy, 12 months | Lactose-Free PREMIUM Hard Cheese from Hay Milk | Cheese with 45% F.i.T. fresh from the cheese wheel, from the cheese cellar, sliced | Delightfully strong and spicy enjoyment guaranteed

Our very spicy alpine cheese (mountain cheese) made from top-quality hay milk is the absolute highlight of the Sennerei Rehmen in Au and is a true mountain cheese specialty with the typical tingle on the tongue.

The quality of this mountain cheese starts with the milk. It comes from cows that graze on the lush Alpine meadows of the Bregenzerwald or are fed fresh grass and hay. This high-quality raw milk forms the basis for the excellent texture of the cheese, bringing the purity and naturalness of the Alps directly to the table.

The long maturation leads to an intense taste experience, characterized by a spicy note that tingles on the tongue and leaves a pleasant burning sensation.

The production follows traditional methods perfected over generations. The cheese matures for over twelve months in our natural cellar, developing exceptional flavor depth.

Each mountain cheese wheel is hand cared for during this time, with the rind regularly treated with salt free of sodium chloride and iodine, as well as pure spring water. This careful attention not only gives the cheese its characteristic texture but also its distinctive intense mountain cheese aroma.

The long maturation process combined with the extensive hand care leads to an incomparable enjoyment, unlike anything else. The mountain cheese develops a strong, spicy aroma that intensifies with every slice, offering true delights for the palate.

Rawmilk listing hand made cheese factsbox
Seal Rehmer Sennhus dairy
Lactose free icon

Lactose-Free Mountain Cheese: The natural milk sugar in our cheese made from hay milk is broken down by lactic acid bacteria. The result: lactic acid and exceptionally complex flavor and aroma formations.

A special bonus: Our mountain cheese is naturally lactose-free because the milk sugar is completely broken down during the maturation process. This makes it perfect for people with lactose intolerance, without sacrificing flavor.

This mountain cheese stands for highest quality and artisanal precision. With every taste, you experience the perfect symbiosis of traditional cheese craftsmanship and intense flavor experiences. Treat yourself to this exquisite enjoyment and feel the passion and dedication in every wheel. A cheese that not only delights the palate but also touches the heart.

  • The extra-long maturation period of 12 months allows the cheese aroma to come into its own uniquely.
  • Mountain cheese is generally an indispensable regional cheese specialty from the local gourmet cuisine of Vorarlberg.
ALPINE CHEESE very tangy | matured for 12 months | lactose-free Austrian PREMIUM hay milk hard cheese straight from the cheese cellar | strong, spicy cheese enjoyment guarantee | Bergkäse 12 Monate
ALPINE CHEESE very tangy | matured for 12 months | lactose-free Austrian PREMIUM hay milk hard cheese straight from the cheese cellar | strong, spicy cheese enjoyment guarantee | Bergkäse 12 Monate

Our spicy mountain cheese belongs to the family of our spicy cheese varieties in the shop overview.

Christof Schneider develops a special ambition when it comes to composing new flavor experiences.

The unique aromas and excellent cheese taste are achieved by Senn Christoph through several key cheese-making secrets, such as:

  • Storage on wooden boards or in the natural cellar without artificial climate control
  • Traditional handcrafting with cheese cloth
  • Manual care without chemical additives
  • Use of unpumped hay milk
  • Natural rennet
  • Iodine-free salt
  • Spring water from the Ilga source

Overall, the extra-long matured mountain cheese from Sennerei Rehmen is a masterpiece of cheese-making art. It impresses with its careful production, long maturation, and the special care processes that make it a true delicacy.

Every bite of this cheese is a pleasure that reflects the dedication and craftsmanship that went into its creation.

Historical Background of Vorarlberg’s Mountain Cheese

Mountain cheese has been produced and matured in Alpine and valley dairies in Vorarlberg since the beginning of the last century. The production method of “fat cheese” (as opposed to low-fat cheese, such as Sura Käs in Montafon) originally came from Switzerland and rapidly spread throughout the Bregenzerwald region.

The traditional Vorarlberg hard cheese is made from natural (non-thermized, non-pasteurized or centrifugally pasteurized) raw milk (hay milk) with at least 45% fat in dry matter.

The characteristic properties of Bregenzerwald mountain cheese are largely influenced by the Alpine milk used in its production, whose ingredients and taste, as well as texture, and the Vorarlberg Alpine flora significantly affect the final product.

Thanks to the small-scale farming operations that supply the raw material and the alpine dairy tradition, the artisanal production and traditional care of the cheese have been preserved to this day. This results in the unique quality and long shelf life of the spicy Vorarlberg mountain cheese.

For more interesting details on mountain cheese, check out Wikipedia.

ALPINE CHEESE WHEEL very tangy | matured for 12 months | lactose-free Austrian PREMIUM hay milk hard cheese straight from the cheese cellar | strong, spicy cheese enjoyment guarantee | Bergkäse 12 Monate
ALPINE CHEESE very tangy | matured for 12 months | lactose-free Austrian PREMIUM hay milk hard cheese straight from the cheese cellar | strong, spicy cheese enjoyment guarantee | Bergkäse 12 Monate

The Holes in the Very Spicy Mountain Cheese

The very spicy mountain cheese from Sennerei Rehmen has only a few small holes.

ALPINE CHEESE very tangy | matured for 12 months | lactose-free Austrian PREMIUM hay milk hard cheese straight from the cheese cellar | strong, spicy cheese enjoyment guarantee | Bergkäse 12 Monate

The Very Spicy Mountain Cheese Rind

The mountain cheese has a brown-yellow rind. The cheese is evenly covered with a brownish rind, inside white to cream-yellow with small holes, very aromatic scent, very spicy taste.

ALPINE CHEESE very tangy | matured for 12 months | lactose-free Austrian PREMIUM hay milk hard cheese straight from the cheese cellar | strong, spicy cheese enjoyment guarantee | Bergkäse 12 Monate

Storage and Maturation of Very Spicy Mountain Cheese

Through its ongoing care during maturation in the Sennerei cheese cellar for 12 months, the wheel reaches its incomparable, spicy, aromatic taste and smoothness.

Spicy Mountain Cheese – Result and Quality Features

  • The approximately pea-sized, round, usually moderate holes are matte to shiny and evenly distributed.
  • Due to the very long maturation time of the mountain cheese, the cheese texture is less smooth (shorter), more firm and slightly crumbly.

Our Mountain Cheese Tasting Tip

Try our very spicy mountain cheese on fresh strawberries with coarsely ground black pepper, lemon juice, and white port wine. It pairs perfectly with a glass of frizzante and fresh white bread.

A Delight for the Palate

The special feature of the very spicy mountain cheese is its wonderfully spicy, not too sharp cheese flavor with an impressive finish.

Mountain Cheese Intensity

How spicy is the cheese? We define it on a scale of 0 (mild) to 10 (spicy).

8/10

Mountain Cheese Consistency

How hard is the cheese? We define it on a scale of 0 (soft) to 10 (hard).

8/10

Mountain Cheese Aging Time

How long did the cheese mature? We define the aging time between 1 and 12 months.

12/12

Additional Details about the Very Spicy Mountain Cheese Made from Hay Milk

Character of the Very Spicy Mountain Cheese
Milk: 100% from silage-free hay milk, hand-scooped
Type of Cheese: Lactose-free hard cheese (HK)
Aging Process: Lactic acid and/or fermentation aging in a natural cellar
Cheese Flavor Profile: very spicy – tingling on the tongue
Aging Duration: 12 months
F.i.T.: at least 45-52%
Fat Content (absolute): approximately 33%
Allergens: No allergens other than milk components
Lactose: not contained
Rennet: natural animal rennet
Salt: iodine-free table salt
What makes the cheese special – The Cheese Character? Through production in about 25 dairies and over 100 alpine farms in Vorarlberg, the cheese from each producer has its own character. The influence of the cheesemaker, the season, feeding, outside temperature, etc. play a role in a natural product.
How does the cheese taste?
  • spicy, strong flavor
  • with increasing age, also piquant, slightly sharp to lightly salty.
What is the texture like? Due to the long aging time, experts speak of protein breakdown. The cheese curd becomes less pliable (shorter), firmer, and slightly crumbly.
What is the color of the cheese? On the inside ivory to cream yellow, in summer sunny yellow. The cheese has a smooth, dried brown-yellow rind.
How does the cheese curd smell? Aromatic, spicy, strong aroma.
What does the hole pattern look like? The approximately pea-sized, round, usually sparse holes are matte to shiny and evenly distributed.
How is the best way to enjoy the cheese?
  • Remove from the fridge at least 1 hour before eating, so it comes to room temperature
  • It is best not to buy large pieces, as storage in the fridge is not ideal for the cheese’s flavor
  • The cheese tastes best directly from the cheese cellar, fresh from the piece.
How to recognize suboptimal aging – lower quality?
  • Dry surface – “thick” rind = directly under the smear, a darker, harder zone forms
  • Cheese with a nearly white surface was too cold in the cellar, which prevented an adequate smear from forming. This usually affects the pleasant taste that the bacteria impart during aging.

If you want to store large pieces or an entire mountain cheese wheel for more than 2-3 weeks, we recommend using a dish towel.

Take a clean dish towel, soak it in saltwater (just add a bit of salt), wring it out, and wrap the cheese in the damp towel. Ideally, repeat this process every 2-3 days.

If the cheese turns slightly white or gets spots, it is typically due to the salt or protein crystallizing from the temperature difference. These spots can easily be rubbed off.

Using aluminum foil is possible (but not recommended), as long as it is supplemented with many small holes for air circulation.

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