Reindeer cheese
A rare Scandinavian cheese made from the high-fat milk of reindeer.
This is a historical cheese produced in Scandinavia using reindeer milk. The paste is white with yellow cracks and has a mild, creamy taste that melts easily. It was traditionally eaten with coffee by the Sami people.
- Made from reindeer milk, which is very high in fat and protein.
- Historically produced in Scandinavia by the Sami people.
- White paste with yellow cracks and exterior.
- Melts easily and tastes mild and creamy.
- Yields only about 1.5 cups per reindeer per day.
What is Reindeer cheese?
Reindeer cheese is a type of dairy product made exclusively from reindeer milk. Historically found in Scandinavia, it is described as an exceptionally rich cream cheese. The exterior appears yellow, while the interior paste is white. Cracks within the cheese often show yellow coloring. When sliced, the white surface quickly turns golden yellow. The texture is soft and melts readily in the mouth. It carries a fine aroma derived directly from the reindeer milk source.
Where does Reindeer cheese come from?
The production of this cheese dates back to historical times in Scandinavia. Modern Finnish cheeses, such as leipäjuusto, were occasionally made with reindeer milk in the past. The practice is linked to the Sami people, who have historically utilized reindeer herding. The cheese is no longer widely produced due to the low yield of reindeer milk.
What does Reindeer cheese taste like?
The taste is very mild and distinctly creamy. It possesses a fine aroma characteristic of reindeer milk. The cheese melts easily on the tongue. If left too long, it becomes rancid, developing a strong odor and a burning taste. Its richness comes from its high fat content, which can constitute nearly half its weight.
How Reindeer cheese is made
Reindeer milk is extremely rich, containing about twenty-two percent butterfat and ten percent protein. However, a single reindeer yields only about one and a half cups of milk per day. This low volume limits large-scale production. The specific rennet or setting methods are not detailed in the available records, but the result is a soft, cream-like consistency.
Reindeer cheese, drawn
How Reindeer cheese is eaten and cooked
The cheese is typically consumed fresh due to its tendency to spoil quickly. It melts easily when eaten. The Sami people traditionally served it with coffee as a substitute for cream. It is not used for cooking or grating in modern contexts.
Reindeer cheese through the day
It is commonly eaten during breakfast. The Sami people take their cheese with morning coffee instead of using liquid cream. It serves as a rich addition to the start of the day.
Reindeer cheese in the world's kitchens
The cheese is associated with the Sami people of Scandinavia. They incorporate it into their daily diet, specifically with coffee. It represents a traditional food source from the northern regions where reindeer herding occurs.
At a glance: where it turns up
Custom and folk tradition
The Sami people have a long tradition of using reindeer products. They value the cheese for its richness and use it to supplement their coffee. The practice reflects a pastoral lifestyle dependent on reindeer herds.
Buying, keeping and serving Reindeer cheese
The cheese spoils rapidly. It easily becomes rancid if not consumed quickly. It acquires a strong odor and a burning taste when it goes bad. Short storage life prevents long-term keeping.
Questions people ask about Reindeer cheese
What kind of milk is used to make reindeer cheese?
It is made entirely from reindeer milk. This milk is unusually rich, containing about twenty-two percent butterfat and ten percent protein, making it much denser than cow or goat milk.
Where does reindeer cheese come from?
It originates from Scandinavia. The Sami people have historically produced and eaten it. Some modern Finnish cheeses also used reindeer milk in the past.
What does reindeer cheese taste like?
It has a very mild, creamy flavor with a fine aroma of reindeer milk. The texture is soft and melts easily in the mouth. It can become rancid and bitter if not kept fresh.
How is reindeer cheese traditionally eaten?
The Sami people traditionally serve it with coffee. They use it as a thick, rich replacement for cream in their morning drinks.
Good reading and sources
- Reindeer cheese on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Reindeer cheese", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryCheese rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Recipes, ageing and customs differ from one dairy, valley or kitchen to the next. Folk beliefs are described as tradition, never as advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-15.
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