World Quark Day is celebrated on January 19 every year. The day offers to enjoy delicious cheese known as quark – sometimes spelt ‘quarg.’ This cheese is mild, creamy and beneficial for your health than common cheese. Similarly, Quark is a versatile food and ingredient that you can use in both sweet and savoury recipes in place of cheese. It pairs well with almost anything and everything and is perfectly delicious and eaten on its own too.
History of World Quark Day
Quark also known as quarg, translates to ‘curd cheese.’ In some places of Europe, it may not even be considered cheese at all. Regardless of its name, quark is a mild, creamy, and delicious cheese-like food.Its flavour and texture are like the Fromage blanc from France or the paneer from India. Unlike similar South Asian cheeses made with yoghurt, quark is made out of soured milk and fermented.Moreover, some types of quark can have fat up to 40%, for the most part, it has a very low fat percentage of around 10%. This low-fat content is beneficial for health and can be the best choice over the regular American cheese spread.The rest of the quark is made up of protein which is the best source of protein for vegetarians. It has more than 3.5% protein per mass which is double the amount of protein in Greek yogurt.
Source: Adara Home Health
The Queen of Quark is a German woman who lives in Bavaria and is a quark enthusiast but her name is unknown. She was a big fan of healthy eating and diets, so she celebrated World Quark Day to let people know about this European superfood. She wrote a cookbook with many recipes and collaborated with a New York farm to celebrate and share her love of quark with America.
You can make Quark at home by heating some buttermilk, or a mixture of buttermilk and milk, to 200 degrees in a slow cooker. Then leave it for a couple of hours. After that, turn off the gas and leave the milk to ferment overnight. Then, strain the curds through cheesecloth and let it hang for a few hours, and you’ll have your fresh quark!
Tacitus, a Roman historian, makes note of a curd cheese-like quark in his book “Germania.”
The 1300s (The Word is Used)
‘Quark’ is derived from a West Slavic word meaning ‘curd cheese.’
The 1800s (Quark in European Homes)
All quarks are homemade, with no industrial production existing.
2018 (World Quark Day)
The Queen of Quark decides that a day is needed to spread information about Quark to the world.
Five Interesting Facts About Quark
Quark is Not Cheese: Though it’s called cheese, quark is technically a fresh, soft dairy product. It’s more likely in texture to yogurt or cottage cheese than a traditional hard cheese. Similarly, it is prepared by heating some buttermilk, or a mixture of buttermilk and milk, to 200 degrees in a slow cooker.
Quark is Hugely Popular in Germany: The production of Quark is high in Germany. The average German consumer consumes nearly 10 pounds of quark per year, finding it in every grocery store. However, German-style quark is thicker and denser than the American version.
Quark is Highly Nutritious: Quark contains high protein ( about 12 grams per 100 grams serving) and low calories. Similarly, it is also rich in calcium which is beneficial for bone health. The fat content varies, with skimmed quark having less than 10% fat and higher fat versions up to 40%.
Quark Has Many Uses in Cooking: Quark is versatile and works well in both savoury and sweet dishes. It is an excellent topping for baked potatoes, chili, and soups. In Germany, it is often mixed with herbs as a bread spread. Likewise, it is also used in pastries, cheesecakes, and mousses.
Quark is Easy to Make at Home: You can prepare quark at home by heating milk, adding an acid like lemon juice or vinegar to curdle it, and then strain off the whey. The method is like preparing ricotta. It can be made from cow, goat or sheep’s milk.
Conclusion
World Quark Day is observed on January 19. The day honours the versatile and nutritious dairy product known as quark. This mild, creamy food is made by heating buttermilk or a milk mixture and allowing it to ferment.
Quark contains high protein (about 12 grams per 100-gram serving) and is low in calories and fat which makes it a healthy choice. Similarly, it is notably popular in Germany, where the average people enjoys nearly 10 pounds annually.
This dairy treat can be used in a range of dishes, from savoury toppings to sweet desserts, and is easy to make at home. Overall, World Quark Day is a perfect day to celebrate and enjoy this delicious superfood that offers both flavour and health benefits.
Frequently Ask Question
When is World Quark Day celebrated?
World Quark Day is celebrated on January 19 every year.
What is a quark?
Quark is a mild, creamy, and delicious cheese-like food. It is similar in flavour and texture to Fromage blanc from France or paneer from India but is made from soured milk and fermented
Can you make quark at home?
Yes, quark is easy to make at home. You can prepare quark at home by heating milk, adding an acid like lemon juice or vinegar to curdle it, and then strain off the whey. The method is like preparing ricotta. It can be made from cow, goat or sheep’s milk.
Is quark the same as Greek yoghurt?
No, quark is not the same as Greek yoghurt. It has a similar texture but a less acidic taste than Greek yoghurt. Similarly, it is also not the same as cottage cheese.
Is quark anti-inflammatory?
Yes, quark contains phosphoric acid which can work against inflammation
Is Quark popular in Russia?
Yes, quark is bought regularly in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus because it’s considered good for the health of babies
What are the health benefits of quark?
Apart from being sugar-free, low-carb, and high in protein, quark is also high in calcium which is good for the teeth, bones, and hair, Vitamin A for great eyesight, and Vitamin Bs. It is also great for gut health due to its probiotic content
