Oltermanni (Finnish forAlderman) is a brand ofFinnishcheese somewhat similar to theDanish cheeseHavarti. It is often eaten onrye bread, or with other dishes (e.g.karelian pasties). Oltermanni is manufactured byValio. Thecheese is less salty than others.[1][2]
Oltermanni cheese is a product developed by the Isokyrö cooperative dairy (Kyrönmaa Dairy Cooperative since 1984). A small cylindrical Oltermanni wrapped in a yellow bag was given to each Valio milk producer in 1980 as a gift to celebrate Valio's 75th anniversary. Cheese for general sale was launched in 1981. A researcher who wrote a doctoral thesis at the Oltermann Institute proposed the name Oltermanni.
In 1997, Oltermanni began to produce lighter version of the cheese with a fat content of 17% by weight. The product family expanded in 2008 with a 9% low-fat version. In addition, Valio produces a cheese-like product containing vegetable fat, Valio Oltermanni rapeseed. Oltermanni Cheese with a 33% fat content is sold in Finland under the name Oltermanni Täyteläinen.
As a result of the tighter border controls due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, the international sanctions during the Russo-Ukrainian war and theRussian counter-sanctions, Oltermanni became unavailable in Russia, which led to a black market for the cheese in Russia. The cheese was being sold at fourfold prices compared to Finnish ones. As a response to this, border supermarkets implemented buying limits on Oltermanni, allowing only 11 kilograms (24 lb) per household. Russian import limits being 5 kilograms (11 lb), this led to cheese smuggling by lorry drivers.[3]
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