Dubliner cheese is a type of Irish cheese that is named after the Irish capital city, Dublin. This cheese is made in Ireland and imported to many European countries as well as the United States. Dubliner cheese was first made in 1996 by John Lucey and is now mass produced under the brand Kerrygold. This is one of the few cheeses that may be considered vegetarian friendly.
Made from cow's milk, Dubliner cheese is firm and is pale yellow to nearly white. Called a robust cheese, it is both sharp and sweet. Dubliner has a texture close to Parmesan, but comparisons with cheddar have also been made. A mature cheese, it is aged for a year before it is sold. There is also a vintage variety that is aged for two years.
Dubliner cheese can be found online or in stores. It is sold sliced, in bricks, or grated. In Ireland it is generally available in 2.5 kilogram (5.5 lb), 400 gram (14 oz), and 200 gram (7 oz) sizes. In the United States, it is often sold in 8 ounce (227 g) or 1 pound (0.45 kg) quantities. For an imported, specialty cheese, Dubliner is generally not as costly as many similar cheeses.
The cheese can be eaten alone, on cheese trays, paired with wines and beers, grilled on sandwiches, or grated on pasta. It is also used in some Irish recipes for tarts and can substitute for Parmesan cheese as well. Considered a gourmet, yet simple, cheese, Dubliner is best when served at room temperature. A serving of 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of Dubliner cheese contains 390 calories, 32 grams of fat, and 0.2 grams of carbohydrates. Cheese is also a good source of protein and calcium, which aids in teeth and bone health.
To make cheese, milk is heated and then rennet, an acidic liquid used to curdle the milk, is added. Rennet is generally found in the stomach juice of animals. Since Dubliner is a vegetarian-friendly cheese, the traditional rennet is replaced by microbial elements. Once the milk is curdled, the curds are separated from the whey, or the liquid, and salt is added to stabilize and preserve the cheese. Curds are then put into a cheesecloth and allowed to mature before being packaged and sold.
Dubliner cheese places a "suitable for vegetarians" label on its cheese packages. Although Dubliner cheese is vegetarian friendly, it is not suitable for vegans since it is made with animal milk. Vegan-friendly cheeses are made from soy or rice milk rather than animal milk.