Schabziger

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Schabziger

Country of origin Switzerland
Region, town Glarus
Source of milk Cows
Pasteurized No
Texture Hard
Aging time 2 - 6 months
Certification Since 1463

Schabziger is traditional cheese exclusively produced in the Canton of Glarus in Switzerland. Schabziger is made out of the skimmed cow milk and a special kind herb, blue melilot (trigonella coerulea), also called blue fenugreek.

The milk is skimmed by heating it to 90° and adding some acid (lactic, citric or acetic), and the whey is separated. The whey is called Ziger and is pressed into cones for 6 to 8 days. The cones are then dried for 2 to 6 months. Schabziger is hard, green with a strong flavor and aroma. It is usually conditioned as cones of 100g with a height of 5cm. It contains less that 3% of fat.

Schabziger can grated or mixed with butter to make an herb spread that is put on bread or sandwiches, grated and eaten with noodles (Zigerhörnli) or even be mixed in Fondue (Zigerfondue). A cone of Schabziger can be conserved for weeks in the fridge.

Schabziger was first manufactured by the monks in Glarus, in the 8th century. The exact specification on how to make this cheese was laid down in during a Landsgemeinde in 1463. The cheese also has to bear a stamp of origin, making it one of the earliest protected brands.

Schabziger is produced exclusively by Geska (Gesellschaft Schweizer Kräuterkäse-Fabrikanten). It is sold abroad under the name Swiss Green Cheese. In the US it is also sold under the brand Sap Sago®. Sap Sago was introduced into New York pharmacies in the 1800's. The green herb juice made to make the cheese was called "sap", as in tree sap.

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