Samsø island · Denmark
Samsø.
Samsø opens with a gentle sweetness reminiscent of warm cream and honeyed butter, its semi-hard paste yielding to a subtle nuttiness with whispers of orchard fruit. The aroma is mild and inviting—more dairy than pungent—while the texture melts smoothly on the tongue, never demanding but always satisfying.
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Origin
55.9°N · 10.6°E
The story
How it's made.
Why it tastes that way.
Samsø was developed on the island of Samsø in the 19th century, inspired by Swiss Emmental techniques. In the early 19th century Danish dairy pioneers invited Swiss cheesemakers to develop a local version of the alpine cheese, and the result was Samsø, which developed its own distinct character through Danish milk and techniques.
Production · spec
- Milk
- Cow · pasteurised
- Family
- Alpine
- Rind
- natural
- Age
- 3–12 mo
- Intensity
- 2 / 5
- Texture
- semi-hard
Tasting profile
What it tastes like.
These bars are a visual read of Samsø's flavour and aroma notes, scaled by the cheese's overall intensity — a quick guide, not a lab measurement.
Aroma
Nutrition · per 100 g serving
What's in a wedge.
A 100 g serving — about a finger-thick wedge. Daily values use the FDA 2020 reference of 2,000 kcal. Expect ±5% variation between wheels.
Serve, cut & store
Out of the fridge,
into its prime.
Guidance for alpine cheeses — general practice, not a per-wheel measurement.
Rest
Take it out about 45–60 min before serving — cold stiffens the fat and locks up the aromas; cool room temperature is when the flavour shows up.
Cut
Cut thin wedges from the centre out, so every slice gets its share of paste and rind.
Store
Wrap leftovers in cheese paper or wax paper — never cling film, which suffocates the rind — and keep them in the warmest part of the fridge.
Rule of thumb: the softer and riper, the longer it needs. Thick pieces need longer than thin — and don't leave cheese out much past two hours.
Pairings · Caseo curated
What goes with Samsø.
43 pairings across 5 categories.
Wine
Beer & Cider
Where to find it
Cheese counters.
Counter listings for Samsø are being verified. Check back soon.
Verified counter listings coming soon. Our team updates listings monthly.
Substitutes
No Samsø at the counter?.
These will play a similar role on the board and in the pan.
Take it with you
Want to remember this one?.
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