Cheese

Over twenty different types of Pennsylvania Dutch cheese have been identified from historical records, most of which are no longer produced. Among these are several types of cream cheese, some with hard rinds, others resembling Brie. Still available in limited quantities are Handkees (hand cheese), generally sold under the misnomer “ball cheese” (it is not ball shaped); Schmierkees (cottage cheese) flavored with fresh chives; and a type of pineapple cheese with a soft, runny interior. This latter cheese takes its name from its shape, which is caused by the nets in which it is hung to age. Pineapple cheese is sometimes smoked. Swiss cheese, now commonly called farmer’s cheese or Amish farmhouse cheese, is sometimes marinated in apple wine or white wine and herbs a few days before it is eaten.