Munster (French) - photo credit

Muenster (not French) - photo credit

This page is about the French cheese Munster, not about the American cheese Muenster.

Munster cheese comes from Alsace, France, though some historians say it comes from Germany. (To complicate matters, munster is a German word, and Alsace has often been a part of Germany during its history.) Munster is a soft cheese made from unpasteurized cow's milk. The cheese is washed in brine and turned every two days.

There is another cheese with a similar name made in America. As you can see in the photos they are different cheeses. French Munster is softer, has a stronger smell and flavor, and quite a different texture. We've found websites describing the American Muenster as distantly related to Munster. Perhaps by "distantly related" they mean they both are made from cow milk in the northern hemisphere.

Where to buy

French Munster Gerome can be purchased at amazon.com