The Allgäu ( Standard German: [ˈalɡɔʏ] ) or Allgovia is a region in Swabia in southern Germany . It covers the south of Bavarian Swabia , southeastern Baden-Württemberg , and parts of Austria . The region stretches from the pre-alpine lands up to the Alps . The main rivers flowing through the Allgäu are the Lech and Iller . Allgäu is not an administrative unit.
7-554: The alpine regions of the Allgäu rise over 2,000 metres in elevation and are popular for winter skiing. The Allgovian area is notable for its beautiful landscapes and is popular for vacations and therapeutic stays. It is well known in Germany for its farm produce, especially dairy products including Hirtenkäse ("herdsman's cheese") and Bergkäse ("mountain cheese"). Besides tourism and dairy products, another important economic sector
14-618: Is a German term used to describe varieties of cheese. Hirtenkäse is used as a generic term in German-speaking countries to describe cheese in brine such as feta , sirene and beyaz peynir . These varieties originated in various countries on or near the Mediterranean and Black Seas. They share similar properties in pale colour and crumbly consistency. They may be made from milk from cows, sheep and/or goats, either alone or mixed in varying proportions. Allgäuer Hirtenkäse
21-659: Is concentrated, with the cooked-milk sweetness of a caramel. Hirtenkäse's nutty, earthy flavors can be complemented or contrasted. A reviewer at the San Francisco Chronicle prefers complementing the cheese, writing, "I want a nutty, slightly sweet wine with it, such as an oloroso sherry or a Madeira ." iGourmet suggests contrasting the cheese: Hirtenkase is wonderful with German whole grain breads, fresh and dried fruits, like apples and figs. Excellent also when coarsely grated over roasted potatoes, mixed into hot pasta with chucks of ripe tomatoes, shaved over
28-827: Is the building of industrial equipment and machines. Fendt tractors, developed and produced in Marktoberdorf are one of the most famous products of the region. The castle of Neuschwanstein in Hohenschwangau is in the eastern part of the Allgäu. The Allgäu is dominated in the south by the Allgäu Alps , which are not part of the Allgäu themselves. The Allgäu is formed mainly by glaciers and glacial debris. Many hills and lakes are remnants of former glaciers. 47°45′N 10°10′E / 47.750°N 10.167°E / 47.750; 10.167 Hirtenk%C3%A4se Hirtenkäse (literally " herder cheese")
35-665: Is the name of a specific variety of hard cheese from the Allgäu region of Southern Germany. Traditionally, herders in the Allgäu region drive their cows downhill from their summer grazing pastures on the slopes of the Alps to farmers' stalls in the valleys, in order to spend the winter sheltered from the elements. This moving of the livestock is termed the Almabtrieb . This happens in September or October, varying by locality in
42-544: The 14-pound cheese resembles a cross between Parmigiano-Reggiano and aged Gouda , with a firm golden interior and aromas of butterscotch and orange peel. ... Even at eight months, the cheese has developed some of the crunchy protein crystals found in Parmigiano-Reggiano. But additional aging makes the cheese creamier, not harder and dryer. It has a waxy texture - it even smells waxy - but it isn't crumbly like Parmigiano-Reggiano or firm enough to grate. The flavor
49-498: The region, and is accompanied by traditional celebrations. Hirtenkäse is made from the milk from these cows. It is usually aged for eight months. This cheese is "golden" and "buttery yellow in color...." Its texture and taste are "rustic, savory and firm textured... with a rugged, earthy aroma." A writer for the San Francisco Chronicle compared it to other hard cheeses of Europe: In texture and flavor,
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