A “New” Cheese Hits the Market

After a 25-year hiatus, Limburger-style Liederkranz cheese has been brought back to life for a new generation of consumers, many of whom may be as old as the pause in production.

This German-inspired, American-made cheese, pronounced “LEE-duhr-krahntz” was once a favorite in New York delis, but production was halted back in 1985. However, people never stopped asking for it so it has returned to cheese cases throughout the Midwest, East Coast and Cincinnati area.

Liederkranz is made in a small, rectangular shape and has a moist, edible, golden yellow crust with a pale ivory interior and a heavy, honey-like consistency. Its distinctly strong aroma and full-bodied flavor goes particularly well with dark bread and dark beer. Before this cheese took a long vacation, Liederkranz had been made since the late 1800s, created by Emil Frey, an apprentice cheesemaker at the Monroe Cheese Company in Monroe, N.Y. The first samples of the new cheese were taken to the famous New York City singing society, the Liederkranz Club, whose members loved it. It was named “Liederkranz” in their honor.—Denise Shoukas

Denise Shoukas is a regular foodspring.com contributor and is the author of foodspring’s food forager blog.

3 comments

Chris Crocker Liederkranz was the inspiration for the term "stinky cheese" in my house. A block on the cheese board was a sure-fire way to keep the kids out of my folks' Hors d'oeuvres.

Rebecca Cantrell I'm totally thrilled by this. I've always loved Liederkranz and I was heartbroken when it went off the market. Thank you to whoever had this fantastic idea!

johnmyoung I grew up in Van Wert, Ohio where Borden's operated the cheese factory that made Liederkranz cheese. My father, brother, and father-in-law really liked it very much as did I. I am really excited to see that it is being made once again. I have ordere three boxes of it and am eagerly waiting for it to arrive!