Muenster

American Muenster has a mild flavor and combines well with full-flavored foods.

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The name “Muenster” refers to a type of European cheese originally produced in France, and then in Denmark and in the monasteries of Germany.

Varieties

Traditional German Muenster is a washed-rind cheese made from cows’ milk; it has an orange rind and can have a strong odor and a mild to strong flavor; it is enjoyed as a table cheese.

American Muenster (sometimes called Munster) is a smooth, light-colored, semisoft cheese textured with tiny holes; it is much milder than the European varieties. Many American Muensters are made in Wisconsin.

French Muenster is known for its full, sharp flavor, its creamy consistency, and its sometimes assertive odor. Muenster is initially white and odorless; the pungent aroma develops as it is aged over the course of a month, during which the cheese is rind-washed. It is typically seasoned with anise, fennel, caraway, or cumin seeds.

Buying and storing tips

Like most cheeses, Muenster should be refrigerated at temperatures of about 35 to 40°F (0.8 to 1.6°C) in its original wrapping or container, or in waxed paper, foil, or a tightly covered container. Use within one to three weeks after purchase.

Availability

American Muenster is widely available. German and French Muenster may be available at specialty shops or cheese counters.

Preparation, uses, and tips

French Muenster can be served with the salad course, with dessert fruits, such as cherries, pears, plums, or peaches, with beer and wine, and with hearty rye breads. German Muenster has a moderate flavor, which makes it an ideal complement to fruit, raw vegetables, breads, preserved meats, beer, or wine. American Muenster, with its mild flavor, combines well with other more full-flavored foods, and melts nicely.

Nutritional Highlights

Muenster cheese, 1 oz. (28g)
Calories: 104
Protein: 6.6g
Carbohydrate: 0.32g
Total Fat: 8.5g
Fiber: 0.0g
*Excellent source of: Calcium (200mg)

*Foods that are an “excellent source” of a particular nutrient provide 20% or more of the Recommended Daily Value. Foods that are a “good source” of a particular nutrient provide between 10 and 20% of the Recommended Daily Value.

The information presented in this website is for informational purposes only and was created by a team of U.S. registered dietitians and food experts. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements, making dietary changes, or before making any changes in prescribed medications.