Gastronomy in the Odenwald: Handkäse Mit Musik

Handkäse Mit Musik (hand cheese with music) is a local specialty and, in the Odenwald, it is traditionally made from Odenwälder Frühstückskäse, a soft cheese produced from pasteurized cow's milk. 

The designation "Odenwälder Frühstückskäse" is a protected geographical indication, and it is also registered as a protected designation of origin (PDO) under European law. Though Odenwälder Frühstückskäse was once produced by several Odenwald dairies, it is now made only by the Hüttenthal Dairy in Mossautal. This cheese may only be used for products made in the Odenwald or Bergstraße districts, and the processed milk must also come only from this area.  Odenwälder Frühstückskäse is a soft cheese, and though many are made into small, cylindrical loaves, Handkäse Mit Musik is normally made from the round cheeses.  It has an ivory to yellowish inside, surrounded by a brownish-yellow skin.  The cheese has a pungent, spicy smell and a strong taste.

You will often see Handkäse Mit Musik on regional menus, though not all will be made with Odenwälder Frühstückskäse. Some are also made with Hessen Handkäse (another geographically-protected cheese), as the dish is not just eaten in the Odenwald but other parts of Hessen, as well. 

Handkäse Mit Musik is often served as a starter or snack, topped with chopped onion and accompanied by apple wine. The cheese can be topped with caraway seeds, though it is more usual to have this served on the side, allowing one to decide how much of the spice they want, if any at all. 

Recipe: Handkäse Mit Musik

Serves four.  I used the  Odenwälder Frühstückskäse from the Hüttenthal Dairy in Mossautal, but you can use Hessen Handkäse. 

4 ripe Handkäse (One for each person) 

2 Tablespoons wine vinegar

1 Tablespoon of water

1 Tablespoon of Oil

finely chopped onions to taste

Cumin seeds to taste (serve on side)

ground black pepper to taste 

Place one cheese on a plate for each person. For the music, mix together all the ingredients except the pepper and cumin and pour over the cheese. Add the pepper and serve, allowing each guest to add cumin if desired.   

You can learn more about the Hüttenthal Dairy here:

https://www.molkerei-huettenthal.de/