Obatzda - German Cheese Spread

A sunny beer garden, a glass of cold beer and a Bavarian “Brotzeit” platter filled with rye bread,
pretzels, cold cuts of meats and a bowl of Obatzda. These are the images you might conjure up when thinking
of Obatzda, the famous German cheese spread.

Obatzda (also spelt Obazda ) is a Bavarian classic that is a staple dish in German beer gardens. It is
best enjoyed outside, with a slice of rye bread or a pretzel accompanied by a nice cold beer. By the
way, Obatzda is not unique to Bavaria. In Hessia it is called “Hessescher”, in Switzerland, it is known as
Gmanschter and in Austria, it is enjoyed as Lipauer.

What is Obatzda in English?

Obatzda in English would be translated “dressed up” or “mixed”. This refers to the way the dish is
created, as it dresses up old cheese. Obazda is pronounced OB-AS-DA with the “S” pronounced
sharp.

History of Obatzda

This delicacy was born out of necessity. The need to use up leftover cheeses, called for spices and
butter to make these interesting and tasty again. When the Brie or Camembert started to smell, it
was softened by some butter and spiced with caraway seeds and paprika. Therefore, you can find so
many variations of this recipe. It is unclear who first created this Bavarian cheese spread, but it was
first found on restaurant menus in the 1920s. The first restaurant to offer the Obatzda cheese was the
famous Beergarden Weihenstephan in Freising. [source mariasplatzl.de]

Obatzda Recipe

You will find many different versions of this recipe. This Obatzda recipe is made without beer, as we
prefer to drink the beer with the spread.

Ingredients

• 1 large white onion (around 150 g (5.2 oz)
• 200 g (7 oz) Camembert
• 100 (3.5 oz) g full fat crème cheese
• 50 g (1.7) soft butter
• 1 tsp sweet paprika
• ½ tsp ground caraway seeds
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Some chives to serve (optional)

How to make Obatzda cheese spread

In order to ripen the cheese faster, remove the camembert from the fridge for at least 3
hours. Cut off the rind and leave to rest at room temperature. You will see that it becomes
very soft.

2. Place the camembert, cream cheese and butter in a bowl. Using a fork, mix everything until
   you achieve creamy mixture.
3. Season with salt, pepper paprika and cumin (optional) to taste.
4. Mix in the onions. (if you plan to eat it later omit this step until you are ready to serve it.)
   Another way to serve the dish is with the onions sprinkled on the cheese spread, as for some
   the taste might be too strong.
5. Before serving, sprinkle with some chopped chives. Enjoy it with a slice of rye bread or
   pretzel.

Which cheese to use for Obatzda?

The traditional choice of cheese is a ripened camembert. However, if you fancy, you can use brie or
another French soft cheese for your dip. If you do not want to use cow cheese, you can use
Rocamadour, a cheese from goats milk. Another popular choice of cheese for obatzda is
Limburger.

Can you freeze Obazda?

I would not recommend freezing the cheese spread, as it will change the texture when defrosted.

More German Brotzeit (Bread) dishes

• German Rye Bread with Yeast
• German Egg Salad
• Caramelised Onion Chutney
• German Pasta Salad
• German Potato Salad