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What are tvarůžky?
The Olomoucké tvarůžky are a traditional Czech cheese made from curd, with a soft interior and a golden rind, notorious for their peculiar smell.
Originating from the Haná region of Moravia, the first written mention dates back to the 15th century, even though it is not possible to exactly determine when the tvarůžky first appeared.
The cheese was sold at the markets in Olomouc, which is where it gets its name, although most of it was produced in the surrounding villages as “peasant tvarůžky” (“selské tvarůžky”, in Czech).
In modern times, the cheese has been produced in the small town of Loštice, thanks to Josef Wessels, and then his son Alois, who set up a business there in 1876.
The company was nationalized during the Communist era, received no investment and declined significantly. After the fall of the regime, the factory was returned to the original owners.
The name of the company still carries the initials of Alois Wessel – AW – and today employs 170 people and produces over 2.000 tons of cheese annually.
The principle of production has not changed to this day, only manual labor is partially replaced by modern machines.
In 2010, the Olomoucké tvarůžky cheeses received PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) status within the European Union.
Traditionally, the tvarůžky were made by using a wooden tool called “klapačka” which gave them a wheel shape.
Other common shapes that can be found are wreaths, ducats or sticks.
Tvarůžky today: tastes and uses
The characteristic pungent smell and taste of the tvarůžky develop during the ripening process, as the cheese proteins naturally break down.
Tvarůžky are typically enjoyed sliced on bread with butter ,with a pinch of sweet paprika and cumin.
Another very popular preparation is to fry them.
They are also used in a variety of dishes, including strudels, salads, baked with vegetables, cooked with meat and even on pizza.
In recent years, the AW company has diversified its offerings with innovative products, such as the tvarůžky-flavoured ice cream, and variations of the cheese that include roasted onions, peppers, garlic, and cumin.
In the photos below you see flavoured popcorns and chips made from dried tvarůžky.
How to reach Loštice and what to do there
Loštice is located 35 km northwest of Olomouc and is easy to reach by both car and by public transport.
Driving takes 30 minutes via the highway, while public transport takes approximately 45 minutes, including a train to Moravičany followed by a local bus to Loštice.
As usual, I recommend you to check pubtrans.cz while planning your trip.
Once there, you can explore the museum dedicated to the tvarůžky, where you can discover the cheese’s history, production techniques, and cultural importance to the Moravian region.
You can also peek into the official store to buy packs of cheese, but if you don’t make it, don’t worry. The cheese is widely sold all over the country and available in supermarkets.
What you should not miss is tasting the tvarůžky-based delicacies offered by the local bistros, for example at the popular café U lišky Bystroušky or at the beloved Tvarůžková cukrárna.
