Cheese story
What is Sakura Cheese?
A Japanese soft cheese decorated with cherry blossom leaf, known for delicate flavour.
Origin
Hokkaido, Japan
Milk
cow
Board role
Soft / creamy
Cheese profile
Country
Japan
Region
Hokkaido
Milk type
cow
Texture
soft-ripened
Rind
bloomy rind with cherry leaf
Ageing
short aged
Vegetarian
Check the rennet / producer
Milk treatment
yes
Flavour profile: milky, floral, delicate, lightly salty
Origin, protection and character
Sakura Cheese comes from Japan, especially Hokkaido. Its character comes from the balance of milk, texture, rind, ageing and local serving traditions.
Protected status
None
Typical ageing
short aged
How to serve Sakura Cheese
cheese boards, desserts, sake pairings
Good food matches
sake
berries
crackers
Serving tip
Take it out of the fridge before serving so the texture softens and the flavour opens up. Softer cheeses usually need less time than hard aged cheeses.
Buying tip
Look for clean aroma, good texture and a style that matches the board: fresh and bright, soft and creamy, hard and nutty, blue and salty, or bold and washed-rind.
