Thurgauer Schlosskase “Kaserei Thonen”

Origin:Wangi, Canton of Thurgau, Switzerland 

Milk: Cow (raw milk)

Rennet Type: Animal rennet

Style: Semi-hard

Classification: Artisan   

Shelf Life: 7-10 days, this product is cut to order 

Goes well with: Dry Oloroso Sherry, full-bodied and aromatic white wines

Similar cheeses: First koning, Challerhocker, Comte, Swiss Gruyère Vieux

Thurgauer Schlosskäse—sometimes affectionately called Turgohörschlöschkas—is a semi-hard cheese from the canton of Thurgau in northeastern Switzerland. Its name recalls old castle recipes, carrying with it centuries of tradition. Crafted from silage-free raw milk, this cheese embodies the natural character of the region, where fertile pastures and careful farming practices sustain both animals and cheesemakers.

Behind this specialty is Magoth GmbH, a family-oriented company in Wängi, founded in 2002, and still deeply rooted in village cheesemaking. The cheese itself is made by the Thönen family dairy, where artisanal practices are preserved and passed down through generations.

Schlosskäse is a smeared-rind cheese, washed regularly with pure salt water in cool cellars. This careful brushing and nurturing allow the cheese to breathe, develop its delicate orange-tinted rind, and build up complexity without losing its mild character. The recipe is closely guarded, as with many traditional Swiss washed-rind cheeses, but the principle is always the same: terroir, patience, and craft.

It matures for up to 12 months, during which its aroma deepens and its flavour evolves from gentle and lactic to more savoury and robust.

• Texture: Semi-hard but supple, with a smooth and even paste that slices cleanly.

• Flavour: Mild and creamy in its youth, developing into a savoury, nutty richness with age. Gentle cellar notes from the washed rind lend a rustic authenticity, while never overpowering the palate.

• Aroma: Subtle at first, with hints of fresh milk and hay, later gaining earthy and toasted undertones.

• Wine: Pair with a dry Riesling from Switzerland, a crisp Grüner Veltliner, or even a light-bodied Pinot Noir.

• Food: Ideal on a cheese platter with cured meats, but also excellent melted into warm dishes or grated over root vegetables.

• Bread: A seeded rye or wholegrain loaf highlights its nutty character.

Serve at room temperature to enjoy its full aroma and depth.

Thurgauer Schlosskäse is more than a mild semi-hard cheese—it’s a reflection of Swiss cheesemaking heritage. Washed, cared for, and matured with patience, it’s a cheese that sits proudly on a platter, stands quietly as a snack, or elevates a simple meal into something memorable.

Ingredients: Raw cow's milk, salt, cultures, animal rennet.