If you’ve ever looked at your morning coffee and thought, “This is great, but it really needs some chunks of rubbery cheese at the bottom,” then I have some good news for you. You might actually be Finnish.
In Northern Scandinavia, specifically Finnish Lapland, they drink something called Kaffeost. The name literally translates to “coffee cheese.” Now, before you start imagining a slice of oily cheddar melting into your espresso—stop. That would be a crime.
The cheese in question is Leipäjuusto (bread cheese). It’s a mild, firm cheese that has been baked to give it those signature brown toast marks. It has the structural integrity of a brick and the texture of a halloumi-mozzarella hybrid. When you drop cubes of it into hot coffee, it doesn’t melt into a greasy slick. Instead, it just sits there, absorbing the coffee and getting warm.
The Experience: It sounds like a dare, but it’s actually a texture play. The cheese gets soft and “squeaky” against your teeth. You drink the coffee, which now has a slightly salty, buttery finish, and then you use a spoon to fish out the coffee-soaked cheese cubes at the bottom. It’s basically the savory version of dipping a chocolate chip cookie into milk.
The Verdict: If you like salty-sweet combos, this is a 10/10. If the idea of “squeaky food” makes your skin crawl, stay far away. But honestly? It beats a boring granola bar any day of the week.
Recipe Details:
Ingredients:
- 3-4 cubes of Leipäjuusto (Finnish bread cheese)
- 1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee
- Optional: Traditional wooden kuksa cup
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Cut cheese into 1-2 cm cubes
- Place cheese cubes in cup bottom
- Brew fresh, hot coffee
- Pour coffee directly over cheese
- Let steep for 2-3 minutes
- Drink coffee, then spoon out the coffee-soaked cheese
Helpful Notes:
Traditional accompaniments: Smoked reindeer, kaffebröd
Where to find Leipäjuusto (specialty cheese shops, online)
Substitutes: Halloumi or paneer (not perfect but workable)
Coffee recommendations: Medium to dark roast
Serving tips: Must be hot, don’t let it get cold