Harzer Käse is a German sour-milk cheese named after the Harz region.
It is made from low-fat cow’s milk quark and is known for its very low fat content and strong aroma. The cheese is usually formed into small cylinders or wheels and develops a yellowish rind as it ripens.
Harzer Käse belongs to the family of German sour-milk cheeses. Its flavor becomes stronger and more pronounced as it matures, while the interior changes from a crumbly texture toward a smoother consistency.
The cheese is often served with bread, onions, vinegar, oil, or caraway. It is sometimes confused with Handkäse, another German sour-milk cheese, because the two are closely related in style. Harzer Käse is distinguished by its regional name and established production tradition associated with the Harz area.