Preparation, uses, and tips
French Muenster can be served with the salad course, with dessert fruits, such as cherries,
pears, plums, or peaches, with beer and wine, and with hearty rye
breads. German Muenster has a moderate flavor, which makes it an ideal complement to fruit, raw vegetables, breads, preserved meats, beer, or wine. American Muenster, with its mild
flavor, combines well with other more full-flavored foods, and melts nicely.
Buying and storing tips
Like most cheeses, Muenster should be refrigerated at temperatures of about 35 to 40°F
(0.8 to 1.6°C) in its original wrapping or container, or in waxed paper, foil, or a
tightly covered container. Use within one to three weeks after purchase.
Varieties
Traditional German Muenster is a washed-rind cheese made from cows’ milk; it has an
orange rind and can have a strong odor and a mild to strong flavor; it is enjoyed as a table
cheese.
American Muenster (sometimes called Munster) is a smooth, light-colored, semisoft cheese
textured with tiny holes; it is much milder than the European varieties. Many American
Muensters are made in Wisconsin.
French Muenster is known for its full, sharp flavor, its creamy consistency, and its
sometimes assertive odor. Muenster is initially white and odorless; the pungent aroma develops
as it is aged over the course of a month, during which the cheese is rind-washed. It is
typically seasoned with anise, fennel,
caraway, or cumin seeds.
Nutrition Highlights
Muenster cheese, 1 oz. (28g)
Calories: 104
Protein: 6.6g
Carbohydrate: 0.32g
Total Fat: 8.5g
Fiber: 0.0g
*Excellent source of: Calcium (200mg)
*Foods that are an “excellent source” of a particular
nutrient provide 20% or more of the Recommended Daily Value. Foods that are a “good
source” of a particular nutrient provide between 10 and 20% of the Recommended Daily
Value.