Country of Origin | Lithuania |
Region | Telšiai |
Classification | Hard cheese |
Milk | Cow’s milk |
Age | 12 to 36 months |
Season | Spring to Autumn (especially in Summer) |
Weight | 4.2 to 4.5 kg (9.25 to 10 lb) |
Shape | Wheel |
Diameter | 22 to 24 cm (8.5 to 9.5 inches) |
Height | 9 to 10 cm (3.5 to 4 inches) |
Taste | From mild and milky to intense and mouth watering tingle (see below for more info) |
Aroma | Summer meadow |
Pairing | Pears, grapes, hazelnuts, dried cranberries, blueberries (see below for more info) |
Color | Pale yellow |
Producer | Dzuigas Cooperative |
Named after Džiugas, a local giant, it is similar in style to Parmesan and is made only between spring and autumn, when the small herds graze the natural pastures, in and around the Zemaitija National Park.
This cheese is believed to give strength and joy to those who consume it.
Džiugas Tasting Notes
Age of Cheese | Taste According to Age |
12 Months | Mild, refreshing, milky |
18 Months | Slightly spicy, dried fruit flavor |
24 Months | Savoury with crunchy crystals |
36 Months | Intense, spicy, hint of fruit with a mouth watering tingle |
A hard, pale yellow cheese with a thin, edible crust.
At 24 months, it is savory, with crunchy crystals. At 36 months, the flavor is tense and fruity with a mouth watering tingle.
How to Enjoy Džiugas (PAIRING)
Age of Cheese | Pairing |
12 Months | Grapes, strawberries, blueberries |
18 Months | Soup, salad, dried fruits, bread sticks |
24 Months | Graded into food (replace salt & pepper), coffee, honey & hazelnut |
36 Months | Cashews, pears, melons, figs, a glass of good wine |
Popular in the Baltics for cooking, Džiugas is served in rough chunks with pears, grapes, and hazelnuts but is equally at home on a cheeseboard.
Our favorite bread sticks:
- Perfect alongside salads, soups, and pasta
- Approximately 17 bread sticks per package
- 50 calories per breadstick
- Roasted, golden sesame seeds atop oven toasted breadsticks
- Light and crispy breadsticks made with simple ingredients
Buy Džiugas Online:
- Baltic-shop.eu – €20.35 per 350 g (24 months)
- Fromlithuania.org – US $14.09 per 180 g (24 months)
- Jamoneriajoseluisromero.com – €7,50 per 250 g (12 months)
More Cheese from Lithuania:
Last update on 2023-06-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API