Quark: Funny Name, But Seriously Good

Most of us can easily rattle off a long list of dairy products in our sleep: Milk, butter, yogurt, cheese, ice cream, etc., etc. But I’m guessing quark probably isn’t on that list.

It isn’t very popular in the U.S, but that’s not to say it doesn’t have a long history. Like the French fromage blanc, the Indian paneer, and the Mexican queso fresco, quark is a fresh, soft, white cheese. It’s made by warming soured milk, letting it curdle, then straining it. The result can be enjoyed on its own or in recipes.

Quark is common in German-speaking countries, Canada and some parts of the United States. Given how easy it is to make and enjoy, we’re spreading the gospel of this delicious, unique dairy food. We’ll walk you through how to make it and provide you with recipes that use it.

Two ingredients, two steps

You only need two ingredients to make quark at home: Whole Milk and buttermilk. You can find our full recipe here: Homemade Quark. But we’ll take you through the steps in this blog post. First, start with simmering the whole milk. You’ll need to stir it often to keep it from burning.

After it sits and cools down for a bit, add the buttermilk. Buttermilk is acidic and the acid causes the whole milk to start curdling.

The last two steps are fairly hands off. Just let the mixture sit for 24 hours until it is thickened.

Next let it drain through a cheesecloth-lined strainer until it is the consistency of Greek yogurt.

The end product will also be slightly sticky to the touch. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Enjoy in a variety of ways

Similar to cream cheese, quark is quite versatile. It’s a great base for cheesecakes and mousse and delicious in parfaits in place of yogurt.

You can also enjoy it in these recipes:

Salmon with Lemon Quark

The creamy, fresh taste of quark pairs perfectly with tangy lemon and rich salmon in this dish. Serve with pasta, rice, or quinoa and a veggie for a meal.

Quark Truffles

Quark adds a smooth richness to these indulgent, yet easy, truffles.

Have you tried making quark? If so, post a picture on social media and tag us @MilkMeansMore.org.

Try more homemade dairy basics recipes on our recipe page.