The Scandinavian Origins Of Adding Cheese To Coffee

Whipped cream, butter (yes, butter coffee is a thing), or ice cream may seem like suitable additions to a classic cup of coffee, but what about cheese? It's not a new idea; there's a longstanding Scandinavian tradition called kaffeost, which literally means coffee cheese. It entails hot coffee poured over cubes of cheese. The cheese in question is traditionally called leipäjuusto (or bread cheese) in Finland. Although this cheese contains zero bread, its ability to absorb liquid is similar.

Leipäjuusto or bread cheese, is actually made from reindeer milk making it a hot commodity for those outside of Scandinavia wanting to try this tradition. Kaffeost is said to be a deep rooted tradition with indigenous Sami reindeer herders that is ideally served out of a wooden mug carved out of a birch burl ( tough outgrowth of the tree). It's been said that the water in the northern regions of Scandinavia is so pure that when consumed in high quantities by coffee drinkers, there is a risk of sodium deficiency. This deficiency — which is not exactly supported by data — sparked the idea of adding a salty cheese into drinks to help combat the lack of minerals.

Bread cheese is a slightly nutty, sweet, and creamy dairy product that balances the rich, bold flavors of coffee. In other words, it's not the type of cheese you would typically add to a charcuterie board. To make true kaffeost, you'll need to find this type of cheese. If you can't find the traditional version made with reindeer's milk, many cheese shops have a version that uses cow's milk instead. If you're feeling especially adventurous, you can make your own bread cheese at home.

Once you've got your bread cheese, cut into small chunks that almost resemble sugar cubes. Grab a wooden mug and add the cheese to the bottom of it. Pour freshly brewed coffee on top. The hot coffee will start to melt the cheese allowing you to savor the softened cheese with a spoon. And you might not realize the key to drinking coffee like a pro is to sip it like wine. Kaffeost is widely considered a social treat, so to be truly authentic, enjoy your kaffeost with friends and family.