Gamalost

Gamalost
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Country of origin	Norway
Region, town	Primarily Hardanger and Sogn
Source of milk	Skimmed cow's milk
Pasteurized	No
Texture	Firm
Aging time	Four to five weeks
Certification	N/A
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Gamalost (also Gammelost, Gammalost), which translates as "old cheese", is a pungent traditional Norwegian cheese, which was once a staple of the Norwegian diet. Like many traditional Norwegian foods, such as flat bread, dry salted meats and stockfish, Gamalost could be stored for long periods without refrigeration.

Production

To make Gamalost, lactic starter is added to skimmed cow's milk, causing it to sour. After several days of souring, the milk is slowly heated, before the curds are separated and pressed into forms. After removal from the forms, mold is introduced onto the surface of the cheese, rubbed on by hand in the traditional method. The cheese is then allowed to cure for four to five weeks.

Gamalost production is very labor-intensive, particularly if traditional methods are used. Everything depends on the proper fermentation and maturation. It is not made in sufficient quantity for mass export. As such, it is rare to find the cheese outside Norway. Commercial production has principally been limited to the Tine facility in Vik.

Taste and texture

Gamalost is a brownish-yellow cheese. The cheese is firm, moist, coarse and often granular. Gamalost is rich in protein with low fat content, measuring 1% fat and 50% protein.

Gamalost Festival

Gamalost Festival (Gamalostfestivalen) is an annual event held in Vik in Sogn at the beginning of summer every year.

External links

• TINE in Norway
• Synnøve Finden
• Gamalost Information
• Gamalostfestivalen