Special Edition “ALPENSEPP” – lactose-free – Cheese Wheel
Made from natural cow’s milk with 45% fat in dry matter (FiT) | whole cheese wheel | 8.1 kg weight
Our Alpine Cheese Semi-Hard Cheese Wheel with 8,1 kg weight as a special edition from the Bregenz Forest is a true all-rounder that is perfect as a daily companion and for special gourmet occasions.
Made from the best fresh hay milk from cows grazing on the lush Alpine meadows, this cheese embodies the purity and quality typical of the region.
The soft, creamy texture of this cheese offers a mild-aromatic flavor experience that delights both children and adults. Its versatility makes it an ideal component for a wide range of dishes, from savory snacks to gratinated specialties.
The production of this semi-hard cheese follows the old cheese-making secrets passed down through generations. With careful, manual aging in the cheese cellar, the cheese is refined, with temperature and humidity perfectly balanced to ensure optimal maturation.
Particularly noteworthy is the elaborate care of the cheese rind, which is regularly treated to further refine the texture and aroma of the cheese.
Lactose-free Alpine Cheese: The natural milk sugar in our hay milk cheese is broken down by lactic acid bacteria. Result: lactic acid plus exceptionally remarkable taste and aroma development.
The semi-hard cheese is also lactose-free, making it accessible to people with lactose intolerance without compromising on taste.
Bregenzerwälder semi-hard cheese is more than just a cheese for everyday enjoyment – it is an expression of the highest craftsmanship and Alpine tradition. Every bite tells the story of the Alps and brings the natural flavors of the region directly to your plate.
For lovers of authentic cheese craftsmanship, this cheese is a true delicacy, reflecting the richness and diversity of the Alps.
The semi-hard cheese special edition “AlpenSepp®” is a flavorful, particularly soft semi-hard cheese, characterized by its fine, creamy texture and delicate aroma. The edible cheese rind can also be grated over dishes.
Our special edition cheese belongs to the family of our spicy cheese varieties in our shop overview.
Characteristics of our AlpenSepp® Special Edition
The special cheese characteristics are guaranteed by the use of exclusive, high-quality Alpine milk.
The ingredients, taste, and consistency, along with the Vorarlberg Alpine flora, significantly influence the raw milk quality. This results in the exceptional quality of Alpine cheese.
Historical Background of Vorarlberg Cheese
Cheese has been produced and aged in Vorarlberg on Alpine and valley dairy farms since the early 20th century.
The production method of “full-fat cheese” (as opposed to skimmed cheese like Montafon’s “Sura Käs”) originally came from Switzerland and quickly spread throughout the Bregenz Forest.
The semi-hard cheeses are made from natural (non-thermized, non-pasteurized, or non-centrifugally purified) raw milk (hay milk) with a minimum of 45% fat in dry matter (FiT).
Due to the small-scale farming operations providing the raw material and the Alpine dairy tradition, artisanal production and traditional care of the high-quality cheese have been preserved to this day.
Further interesting details about semi-hard cheese can be found on Wikipedia.
AlpenSepp® Cheese Holes
The Bregenzerwälder semi-hard cheese features smaller holes with a rich taste.
The AlpenSepp® Cheese Rind
The special cheese has a lightly browned, dry, crack-free rind.
Storage and Aging of AlpenSepp® Cheese
The special cheese is aged for about 3 months in the cheese cellar. It is then perfect for hearty cheese dishes and daily enjoyment.
Special Quality Features of Our Semi-Hard Cheese
- The rind of cheese forms when the cheese wheels are submerged 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 such a bath for varying lengths of time.
- The salt draws water from the cheese wheel. Subsequently, the cheese wheels are regularly treated with iodine-free salt & brine until fully matured.
Palate Magic
The highlight of this special edition cheese is its robust, aromatic, unique cheese flavor.
AlpenSepp® Intensity
How mild or spicy is the cheese? We define 10 levels from 0 (mild) to 10 (spicy).
6/10
AlpenSepp® Consistency
How firm is the cheese? We define 10 levels from 0 (soft) to 10 (firm).
6/10
AlpenSepp® Aging Time
How long was the cheese aged? We define the aging period between 1 to 12 months.
3/12
Additional Details About AlpenSepp® Special Edition Cheese from Hay Milk
Milk: | 100% from hay milk, free of silage |
Cheese Type: | Lactose-free semi-hard cheese (SK) |
Aging Type: | Lactic acid and/or fermentation aging / surface aging in the cheese cellar with salt treatment |
Flavor Profile: | Aromatic, robust |
Aging Duration: | 3 months |
FiT: | Minimum 45% |
Fat Absolute: | Approx. 30% |
Allergens: | No allergens except for milk components |
Lactose: | Not contained |
Rennet: | Natural, animal rennet |
Salt: | Iodine-free table salt |
What characterizes the cheese – the Special Edition Cheese character? | Soft-melting cheese texture with hearty, robust flavor |
How does the Special Edition Cheese taste? | Particularly soft cheese with a creamy, melting texture |
What is the texture like? | Firm, smooth cheese texture |
What is the color of the Special Edition Cheese? | Matte yellow to sunny yellow – depending on the season |
What does the cheese smell like? | Lightly sweet creamy scent, combined with a fine red smear aroma |
What does the cheese hole pattern look like? | Occasionally with cherry pit-sized holes |
How is the Special Edition Cheese best enjoyed? | For raclette or hearty snacks, as well as sandwiches |
How to recognize non-optimal aging – lower quality? | The cheese should be moderately firm but not sticky. |
If you store large pieces or a whole Special Edition cheese wheel for more than 2-3 weeks, we recommend using a dish towel.
To do this, take a clean dish towel, soak it in saltwater (just add a little salt), wring it out, and wrap the cheese with the damp cloth. Ideally, repeat this process every 2-3 days.
If the cheese becomes slightly white or develops spots, it is usually salt or protein that crystallizes due to temperature differences. These spots can simply be wiped off.
The use of aluminum foil is possible (although we advise against it), provided it is perforated to allow airflow.
No Bread Contact - Yeast Fungi
Please never store or cut cheese on boards, wood, or surfaces where bread was previously placed. Yeast residues from the bread can cause the cheese to mold quickly.
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