Svecia
Also known as: Svecia PGI
Svecia is a Swedish semi-hard PGI cheese from cow's milk, a large waxed cylinder made in the lowland parts of Sweden.
Svecia is a Swedish semi-hard PGI cheese from cow's milk. It is a large cylinder about 35 cm across and 12–15 kg, coated in wax, with light yellow to yellow paste and evenly spread small eyes.
The milk is low-pasteurised at 72 °C, cooled to about 30 °C and given a starter and rennet. The curd is heated to 37–42 °C, salted, pressed in moulds and put in brine; the ripe cheese contains 1.0–1.5 % salt. It ripens for at least two months. Eyes are 2–6 mm. The standard type has 45 % fat in dry matter; a lighter variant (17 % fat in the cheese) and a richer one (33 %) also exist.
It is made in the lowland parts of Sweden, as the mountain areas are unsuitable. The name comes from the Latin Suecia and has been used for the cheese since the 1920s; the tradition itself probably goes back to the 13th century.
The taste is slightly sour, mild and full; the texture is firm, sliceable, slightly elastic to tender.
Why it matters to you: the name Svecia is protected as a PGI, so the cheese is made in Sweden, in the lowlands of the country.
Facts
| Registered | PGI; 1997 |
|---|---|
| Raw material | Cow's milk, low pasteurisation (72 °C) |
| Region | Lowland parts of Sweden |
| Duration | At least 2 months |
| Taste | Slightly sour, mild, full |
| Legal basis | Reg. (EC) 2325/97 |
How it connects to Cheese
Svecia → kind of → 🧀 Semi-hard cheeses → kind of → 🧀 Cheese
Links
- Made from which milk
- 🥛 Cow's milk
- Part of
- 🧀 Semi-hard cheeses, 🏷️ Protected cheese names, 🇸🇪 Swedish cheeses
Frequently asked questions
What size and weight is Svecia?
A cylinder about 35 cm across, 12–15 kg, coated in wax.
How long does it ripen?
At least two months.
What is the fat content?
Standard 45 % fat in dry matter; a lighter (17 % fat in the cheese) and a richer (33 %) variant exist.
How does it taste?
Slightly sour, mild and full; the paste is firm and sliceable.
Is it true that Svecia is made in the mountains?
No. It is made in the lowlands of Sweden; mountain areas are unsuitable.
Similar
Wrångebäcksost · Győr-Moson-Sopron megyei Csemege sajt · Lajta sajt · Liliputas · 🧀 Spressa delle Giudicarie · 🧀 Valle d'Aosta Fromadzo
ℹ️ Dairy products contain lactose and milk proteins: if you are lactose intolerant or allergic to milk protein, ask a doctor.