Caraway Cheese (Jāņu Siers)

Jāņu siers is a fresh, unaged Latvian cheese distinguished by its liberal addition of caraway seeds — the defining and non-negotiable element that separates it from any ordinary fresh cheese. Made from cow's milk, traditionally unpasteurized when available, it ranges from soft to semi-firm in texture with a white-to-cream interior and natural or waxed rind. The flavor is milky and clean, with caraway providing aromatic, slightly nutty, cumin-like notes that become more pronounced as the cheese comes to room temperature. It is not aged, which means it lacks the complex development of hard cheeses; its charm lies in its freshness and the clean, bright contrast between dairy and spice.

This cheese is inseparable from Jāņi, the Latvian Midsummer celebration centered on the solstice (June 21–24). Production surges dramatically in the weeks leading up to the holiday, with small dairy farms and home producers making batches for local markets and family exchange. It functions as both centerpiece of the festive table and as a gift passed between households — a symbol of summer abundance, dairy fertility at peak grazing season, and community connection. The cheese represents abundance of the brief northern summer in a way that purely commercial, year-round production cannot fully capture. Commercial versions exist, but the most authentic expressions appear only in late June.

In use, Jāņu siers behaves like other fresh cheeses: it spreads more easily at room temperature, melts gently when heated, and dries out quickly once cut and exposed to air. Its moisture content varies by producer, which affects whether it is better suited for spreading or slicing. The caraway seeds can be distributed unevenly in handmade versions — a characteristic to embrace rather than avoid, as it indicates authenticity over industrial uniformity.