Moose Cheese: What It Is and Why It’s Worth Trying

Moose cheese isn’t a myth – it’s a real, creamy cheese made from the milk of moose. Most of us have never seen a moose farm, so the idea can feel exotic, but the taste is surprisingly mild and buttery, with a hint of earthiness that sets it apart from cow or goat cheese.

The cheese comes mainly from Sweden, where a small herd of moose is milked each summer. Because a moose yields only a few litres of milk, the cheese is rare and pricey, but that also means each wheel feels special.

How to Make Moose Cheese at Home (If You Can Get the Milk)

Getting moose milk is the hardest part. If you’re lucky enough to source it from a local farm or a specialty retailer, the process is similar to making soft cheese from cow milk. Here’s a quick rundown:

1. Warm 1 L of fresh moose milk to 32 °C (90 °F).
2. Add 1/4 tsp liquid rennet and let it sit for 30 minutes.
3. Once the curd forms, cut it into 1‑cm cubes and let it rest for 5 minutes.
4. Gently stir for another 15 minutes, then drain the whey.
5. Press the curd in a cheesecloth for 2 hours, flip halfway. Salt to taste, then chill.

The result is a soft, spreadable cheese that pairs well with crackers or fresh fruit. If you don’t have moose milk, you can try a blend of goat and cow milk and add a few drops of smoked oil to mimic the subtle gamey note.

Where to Buy Moose Cheese and How to Store It

The easiest way to enjoy moose cheese is to buy it from a specialty shop. Look for Swedish delicatessens online or ask your local gourmet store if they import it. It usually comes in small 200‑gram wheels wrapped in paper.

When you bring it home, keep it refrigerated at 4 °C (39 °F). Wrap the cheese loosely in wax paper, then place it in a sealed container. It stays good for about 2 weeks; the flavor actually deepens a bit over time.

Enjoy moose cheese on a cheese board with dark berries, honey, and a slice of rye bread. It also works great melted over roasted vegetables or as a creamy topping for baked potatoes.

So whether you’re a cheese aficionado looking for a new experience or just curious about Nordic foods, give moose cheese a try. Its rarity makes it a conversation starter, and the taste is gentle enough for most palates. Grab a bite and see why this tiny specialty has a loyal following in the north.