Kaffeost

Finnish Lapland / Northern Scandinavia

Coffee poured over cubes of juustoleipä (Finnish squeaky cheese, also called leipäjuusto or bread cheese). The cheese doesn't melt — it softens and absorbs the coffee, creating a salty-sweet, chewy bite at the bottom of the cup. It sounds strange until you try it. The Sámi people have been doing this for centuries.

How to make it

1. 1

   Cut juustoleipä (Finnish bread cheese) into 2–3 cm cubes.

2. 2

   Place the cheese cubes in the bottom of a coffee cup.

3. 3

   Brew strong coffee — a light or medium roast works best to complement the cheese.

4. 4

   Pour the hot coffee over the cheese cubes.

5. 5

   Drink the coffee, then eat the softened, coffee-soaked cheese cubes with a spoon. The last sip is the best.