American Muenster is a mild, semi-soft cow’s milk cheese with an orange rind, a gentler cousin of the French Munster.

• Milk: cow’s, usually pasteurized
• Style: semi-soft
• Rind: orange (the color is from annatto)
• Not to be confused with: Alsatian Munster, a pungent washed-rind cheese

Muenster vs. Munster

The name comes from Munster, a strong, protected (AOC) washed-rind cheese from Alsace in France. American Muenster is an adaptation: much milder, younger and softer, with a bright orange rind that’s just annatto coloring and adds no flavor. They’re really two different cheeses with one name.

How to use it

It’s semi-soft and melts well, so it’s the usual choice for grilled cheese sandwiches and burgers, and it’s easy to slice for lunch.

Wrapping up

A mild, friendly everyday cheese. If you want the stinky original, look for Alsatian Munster instead.