This Creamy European Cheese Is Perfect For Parfaits And Cheesecakes

When it comes to cheese, there are endless flavors, textures, shapes, hues, and aromas. Some cheeses are dense, earthy, and encased in a tasty rind, while others are pleasantly fragrant and luscious. Some are bold shades of orange and yellow, while others are as pale as ivory. There exists a cheese for every type of palate; it just so happens that some are more universally loved.

One variety that fits the description of velvety, succulent, and charmingly zesty possesses a name that reflects just how fun it is to eat. We're talking about quark, the cow's milk cheese with European roots that has become a darling of the culinary world. Quark is made around the globe, including in Australia, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Sweden, and the U.S.

Quark — German for "fresh curd" — is an ideal cheese for an array of dishes due to its sweet, tangy taste and spreadable, whipped consistency, not to mention its impressive protein content. The versatile fromage is an integral ingredient in sugary treats and savory delights alike. It's truly an underrated cheese you'll wish you knew about sooner.

Quark's mild flavor, creamy consistency, and surprising health benefits are what truly make it approachable to so many consumers, even those with a serious sweet tooth. Additionally, it's packed with nutrients, making it a supreme grocery list item. Quark contains about double the protein compared to your average spoonful of Greek yogurt — 14 grams per serving. It's also high in vitamin K2 and calcium, and low in lactose sugars.

Clock Shadow Creamery, a famous cheese factory in Milwaukee's Walker's Point neighborhood, shares that quark's character is often compared to that of other dairy legends like ricotta, sour cream, and butter. Its smooth finish makes it ideal for soft desserts such as cheesecakes, parfaits, tarts, and cannolis. Käsekuchen, for instance, is a traditional German cheesecake with a simple recipe that calls for quark, butter, sugar, eggs, flour, vanilla, and lemon.

Quark cheese can even be smeared on slices of toast, banana bread, bagels, and other carb-rich vessels, mixed with fruit à la cottage cheese or yogurt, infused into pasta sauces and dips, or eaten by its plain ol' delicious self. The choice is yours!