Harzer

{{short description|German sour milk cheese}} {{other uses}} {{Infobox cheese | name = Harzer | image = Harzer Käse.jpg | othernames = | country = Germany | region = Harz, Lower Saxony | source = Cow | pasteurized = Yes }}

'''Harzer''' cheese is a German sour milk cheese made from low fat curd cheese,<ref name=Bockelmann2002>{{cite journal |author1=Bockelmann, Wilhelm |author2=Willems, Peter |author3=Jäger, Beate |author4=Hoppe-Seyler, Tobias |author5=Engel, Günter |author6=Heller, Knut |year=2002 |title=Reifung von Harzer Käse ("Ripening of Harzer cheese") |language=de |journal=Kieler Milchwirtschaftliche Forschungsberichte |volume=54 |pages=317–335}}</ref> which originates in the Harz mountain region south of Braunschweig.<ref>{{cite book |editor=Juliett Harbutt |year=2009 |title=World Cheese Book |location=New York |publisher=DK Publishing}}</ref>

Harzer is often small and round, in which case it is called ''Handkäse'' or ''Taler'', or cylindrical, in which case it is called ''Stangenkäse''. Frequently, the small and round variety is sold in a cylindrical package, which is then called ''Harzer Rolle''.<ref name=Bockelmann2002/>

Harzer cheese is typically flavored with caraway spice. Some varieties are white mold cheeses, others, red mold; the latter type generally has a stronger flavor. Both types develop a strong aroma after maturing for anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Harzer has both a distinctive strong smell and flavor.

Harzer contains very little fat (less than 1%) but extremely high protein (usually around 30%), and is thus often used for special diets and sport nutrition.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}

==See also== {{portal|Food|Germany}} * German cuisine * List of German cheeses * List of cheeses * Olomoucké syrečky * Hauskäse

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:Cow's-milk cheeses Category:German cheeses Category:Harz Category:Sports nutrition