We have been making Quark for over 35 years and it's one of Simon’s fondest products. “I was brought up on an inch thick layer of my granddad Hermann’s Quark on homemade dark rye toast” Simon describes while looking back with nostalgia. It all started with our German family heritage and all these years later we still use Hermann’s recipe for our Schulz Organic Quark.
WHAT'S IN QUARK?
We use our certified organic full cream milk to make fresh cheese, which is then fermented like yogurt. During this process we add ABC cultures and microbial rennet, which gives it a unique mild tartness from the “yogurt like” fermentation. Due to the fermenting of the fresh cheese this means Quark is high in protein and is great for your gut health. It doesn’t stop there! Our Quark is lower in sugar than regular yogurts and higher in calcium than cream cheese. It’s a win-win, it’s healthy, a versatile ingredient and delicious!
WHAT DO I HAVE WITH QUARK?
Quark is used extensively throughout Northern Europe as an incredibly versatile dairy product, and is a tasty substitute for cottage cheese, mascarpone, creme fraiche and sour cream. We recommend using it in a similar way to yogurt or cream cheese - slather it on bread or crackers, top your winter baked potatoes with it or use it in lasagnas and quiches. For the sweet tooths out there pop a generous dollop onto bowls of fruit, or use it in your cheesecakes, and desserts!
We have two types of organic Quark - natural and mixed herb. Our mixed herb Quark pairs perfectly with crackers or crispy sourdough with smoked salmon, dill or chives, and rocket lettuce. It's a dip, a spread, a topping and a dressing!
(from the Timboon Farmhouse Cheese (now Schulz Organic Creamery & Cafe) archives circa 1988)
If you have any Quark pairing quirks please comment on here - we’d love to hear them (and taste them!)
RECIPES USING OUR QUARK
Caramelised Onion, Tomato and Rocket Tart
A versatile tart that can be filled with whatever vegetables and herbs you have on hand. The quark in the filling gives the tart a welcome zing and cuts through the richness of the eggs and cream. This tart is wonderful to eat warm or cold.
Spiced Carrot Cake with Quark Frosting
Julia Ostro kindly shared her recipe for her carrot cake with a simple frosting made with tangy quark – perfect for afternoon tea. Once frosted, the carrot cake should be stored in the fridge where it will keep nicely for days, just be sure to bring it to room temperature before serving again. Feel free to adjust the spices to your liking, adding more of one and less of another or adding new ones entirely!
Quark Cheesecake
Julia also shared another type of quark cake recipe - a perfectly simple baked cheesecake using quark instead of cream cheese, giving it a wonderful texture and flavour. The cheesecake can be made in advance and topped with the luscious strawberries just before serving, making it a wonderful dessert for entertaining. Although strawberries are used here, other fruits such as figs, raspberries, blueberries and peaches would be lovely too.