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Munster d'Alsace (8 Ounce) by igourmet.com | 
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Brand: IGOURMET
Category: Gourmet
Buy New: $8.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  2 reviews
Sales Rank: 11767
Country: france
Media: Misc.
Size: 8 ounce
ASIN: B0000D9ND6
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | From the German speaking part of France | | • | A little stinker, give it some air before serving | | • | Pair with Gewurtztraminer or Pinot Gris wine | | • | Made from pasteurized milk | | • | Imported from France |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
This is not the Munster with which most Americans are familiar. Alsatian Munster is another animal all together. Munster is virtually the only regional cheese native to Alsace. It has a very pronounced, powerful aroma that is oddly reminiscent of fried eggs. Munster is smelly due to its washed rind. Cheeses such as Munster, Livarot, Pont LEveque, Taleggio, and Limburger are referred to as washed-rind cheeses. They are rubbed by hand with a cloth moistened by a brine solution of rock salt and water. This solution encourages the growth of the bacteria that give these cheeses their characteristically strong flavors and smells, while inhibiting the growth of mold. These cheeses have red rinds, which are actually closer to orange in color. Many cheese connoisseurs relish these cheeses, but they are certainly not for the timid. Their depth of flavor and character is difficult to match, and once you develop a taste for them they will surely rank among your favorites.
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| Customer Reviews:
One of the Very Best March 18, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
For what it's worth, though I'm no cheese expert, I've been a cheese lover since age 6 when I denounced Kraft American in my sandwiches and my mother substituted Vermont Cheddar. I've eaten cheeses from all over the world. I like every variety and type. This Alsatian cheese is one of the best I've ever had. I would put it 2nd or 3rd in my Top Ten List. My guests were even taking their knives and going to the cheese to scrape off as much of the cheese from the rind as they could. Some of them ate the rind. One guest was running the cheese across his bottom front teeth to get every last milimetre from the rind. Not couth, but he'd had too much wine. However, I was totally sympathetic. You don't want to waste even a drop of this soft, creamy, slightly running off the plate delicious and satisfying cheese.
I am editing this review on March 28. In the interest of honesty and my good word, I must now unfortunately add an important addendum. When I reordered this wonderful cheese I was sent a not-so-wonderful cheese. When I inquired about it I was told that igourmet got the Alsace from two suppliers. Apparently, the two suppliers are not equal. The first cheese was quite amazing; the second cheese was quite mediocre, one I would NOT recommend. So you will know which one you got, the first cheese clearly had "Munster d Alsace" printed on the wrapper. The second cheese had "Munster Petit Gerome" printed on the wrapper. And while igourmet assured me that this latter cheese was made in Alsace, the wrapper said, "Roussey Selles France." There is a vast difference in quality between the two, so if you know this cheese and like it, great, but if you are a first time buyer, then definitely beware.
A Great Cheese - But Buyer Beware! December 17, 2003
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
Let's just start with a few points of clarification. First, Alsace is NOT German speaking as is mentioned above. Say that to an Alsatian and you're likely to start a fight. Second, while this cheese is one of the strongest smelling cheeses I can think of, the strength of the cheese changes drastically depending on age. That is to say that most Alsatians consider this a seasonal cheese; most young Munsters are quite mild in flavor, given their smell anyway. Old Munsters are exceedingly strong. Therefore, it would be quite a gamble to buy this cheese online without knowing the age or the state of the cheese. With all that said this cheese might very well be worth the gamble. In Alsace it is also quite common to sprinkle the cheese with caraway seeds. In addition to the wine pairings (try an Alsatian Tokay), it goes great with beer (Alsatian or German beers, though my favorite is Hoegaarden).
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