Although Poland is not among the European leaders in exporting cheese, cheese is very popular in Poland and grocery stores sell many types of cheeses in variety of flavours. There are as many as 60 varieties listed on The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Poland website on the List of Regional and Traditional Products made in Poland. The most famous – oscypek – has been recognized by the European Union and is a protected trade name under the European Union’s Protected Designation.

Oscypki sheep cheese production process.

Oscypki sheep cheese production process.

Oscypki sheep cheese production process.

Eating cheese is seen as absolutely essential in a healthy diet. In Poland, most popular are artisan cheeses made from organic ingredients in small quantities on family farms. Polish cheeses together with breads are considered to be very unique and of high quality. Cheese is also a crucial ingredient of many traditional dishes, for example the filling of pierogi ruskie – stuffed dumplings, contains white cheese called twaróg, potatoes and onion.

Polish regional appetizers. Smoked sheep cheese, butter, moskole – regional potato pancakes and cranberry jam.

Because Poles love “slow” and organic foods, there are many varieties of Polish artisan cheeses. They may be soft or hard, made from cow, sheep or goat milk, but the flavor is always rich and exquisite. Food festivals and workshops are often held in various regions of Poland where attendees learn the secrets of artisan cheese making. Every June, a very popular cheese festival,“Czas Dobrego Sera” (“Time for Good Cheese”) is held in Lidzbark Warminski, in Warmia-Mazuria region of Poland.

Here are our choices of small artisan cheese producers from around Poland, whose products are really worth tasting.

When heading to Greater Poland region, one should try Kreuzer cheese, made by awarded producer – Ekosery. Kreuzer cheese is made from fresh milk, rennet, spring water and rock salt. In Dutch forms the cheese ripens for at least one month. It is served plain or with basil, oregano or caraway seeds.

Kreuzer cheese. The winner of many Best Cheese awards . The name is protected under Polish Patent Office.

Awarded Cygier cheese, produced by Ekosery and protected under Polish Patent Office. Very delicate and unique. Albuminous cheese, which belongs to the category of whey cheeses. Tastes similarly to ricotta.

In Warmian- Masurian region, sheep’s milk cheese can be sampled in Sorkwity. If you like famous French Roquefort, you’ll probably love hand-made blue sheep’s milk cheese which you can taste in Ranczo Frontiera

For those who like cheeses with herbs and garlic, Sery Gradzkie (Greater Poland region) offer garlic cheese made from cow and sheep milk or other rennet.

Sery Gradzkie. Ripening. The production of artisan cheese is more complex but the flavor is very rewarding.

If you’re in Bieszczady Mountains (Subcarpathian Voivodeship), try exquisite sheep’s milk or goat’s milk cheeses, which are considered to be the healthiest. Visit Family Organic Farm “FIGA”, where all products are hand-made. You may try bryndza (traditional goat cheese) quark or Vallachai goat smoked cheese.

Poland is also famous for its white cheese called twaróg. Twaróg or twarozek is made of soured milk. It is usually served with chives, garlic or radishes. What’s more, twaróg cheese features as a basic ingredient of various foods: appetizers, cheesecakes, sweet crepes, dumplings or pasta. There‘s a whole range of twaróg cheese sold in grocery stores throughout Poland.

Of course the best known Polish cheese is oscypek made in the southern, mountainous region of Poland.  Oscypek is smoked cheese made of salted sheep milk. The recipe is strictly protected and even the shape can’t be changed. Oscypek is produced exclusively in  the Tatra Mountains region of Poland, and is considered to be Polish delicacy. Similar to oscypek is golka cheese however, it’s  made of cow’s milk and has a different spindle shape.

Various types of smoked Polish cheese, including oscypek, displayed in Kraków

Traditional yellow cheeses, for example, tylzycki are also very popular in Poland. Commonly sold sliced, yellow cheeses are used on sandwiches or kanapki.

Cheese is the basic ingredient of one of the most favourite Polish cakes – traditional cheesecake or sernik. There are many variations and recipes of this dessert but Poles prefer traditional cheesecake with thin crust and fresh cheese topping. It may be flavoured with raisins or covered with chocolate.

Traditional cheesecake with sugar glaze

If you want to bake traditional, Polish cheesecake, try this easy recipe:

Cheesecake

Ingredients:

Dough:

4.5oz or 125 gram  of margarine

3.5oz or 100 gram of sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon of baking powder

10.5oz or 300 gram of baking flour

Cheese filling:

2.2lb or 1 kg of white cheese

2 glasses of sugar

4 eggs

Lemon juice (from one lemon)

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a bowl knead all the dough ingredients until smooth. Roll the dough. Grease a spring form pan and press ¾ of the dough into the bottom .

Mix well cheese filling ingredients and cover the dough. On top of cheese filling add the remaining ¼ of the dough. Bake in  preheated oven for 60 to 70 minutes. You can use sugar or chocolate glaze for topping.

Many of Poland Culinary Vacations trips include visits with artisan cheese makers and hands-on cheese making in various regions of Poland. Plan your next trip to Poland with us and view pictures from past trips on our website: www.PolandCulinaryVacations.com

See you in Poland in 2022!

Malgorzata (Sarna) Rose, is a native of Poland. Poland Culinary Vacations grew out of her love and passion for travel and everything Polish, including fine Polish cuisine, eventually blossoming into a first-class culinary travel company. While growing up in Poland, she experienced the great joy of cooking with family and friends. Using her grandmothers' recipes and fresh ingredients from their gardens, they prepared food for weddings, parties, and traditional holidays. Now, through Poland Culinary Vacations, she wants to share that experience with you, and show you the best of everyday Polish living: the special people and their hospitality, and the heritage and traditions unique to each region. Only a native can help you discover and fully experience the authentic Poland! Slow Travel Tours is an affiliation of small-group tour operators who offer personalized trips in Italy, France and other European countries.