Ruisreikäleipäjuusto

Ruisreikäleipäjuusto is a Finnish cheese product made from rye leipäjuusto, also known as "bread cheese." Leipäjuusto itself is a fresh, unripened cheese, typically made from cow's milk, with a squeaky texture and a mild, slightly salty flavor. The "reikä" in "reikäleipäjuusto" refers to the characteristic holes or perforations found in the cheese.

The production process for leipäjuusto involves curdling milk with rennet, then heating the curds until they form a solid mass. This mass is then pressed into shapes, often round, and baked or fried until it develops a golden-brown crust. For reikäleipäjuusto, the curds are pierced with a fork or skewer before the final heating stage, creating the distinctive holes.

Ruisreikäleipäjuusto is made by incorporating rye flour into the traditional leipäjuusto recipe. This gives the cheese a darker color, a slightly denser texture, and a more robust, earthy flavor compared to regular leipäjuusto. The rye adds a subtle nutty and slightly bitter note.

This cheese is traditionally served warm, often as a dessert or snack. It can be eaten on its own, perhaps with a drizzle of cloudberry or lingonberry jam, or as an accompaniment to coffee. The warmth softens the cheese, intensifying its flavor and giving it a gooey, melt-in-your-mouth quality. It can also be enjoyed cold. Ruisreikäleipäjuusto is a unique delicacy appreciated for its distinctive texture and flavor profile, showcasing a blend of cheese-making tradition and the earthy character of rye.