Oscypek

A similar cheese is made in the Slovak Tatra Mountains under the name oštiepok. The cheeses differ in the ratio of their ingredients, the cheesemaking process and the characteristics of the final product.{{cite web | publisher = EurActiv |language=sk |url = http://www.euractiv.sk/ekonomika-a-euro/clanok/spor-o-ostiepok-je-zo-stola-v4-planuje-zalobu-na-komisiu | title = Spor o oštiepok je zo stola, V4 plánuje žalobu na Komisiu | date = June 5, 2007 |access-date = May 1, 2008}} Oscypek needs to be made from at least 60% sheep's milk, and must weigh between 600 and 800g and measure between 17 and 23 cm. It can only be produced between late April to early October, when the sheep used is fed on fresh mountain grass.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20180327-polands-surprisingly-beautiful-cheese|title=Poland's surprisingly beautiful cheese|last=Mecking|first=Olga|language=en|access-date=2018-10-31}}

Oscypek is made using salted sheep's milk, with the addition of cows' or goats' milk strictly regulated by the protected recipe.{{Cite web|title=Oscypek - famous Polish smoked cheese|url=https://www.intopoland.com/what-to-see/local-products/oscypek-polish-smoked-cheese.html|access-date=2021-08-18|website=www.intopoland.com}} Unpasteurized salted sheep's milk is first turned into cottage cheese, which is then repeatedly rinsed with boiling water and squeezed. After this, the mass is pressed into wooden, spindle-shaped forms in decorative shapes. The forms are then placed in a brine-filled barrel for a night or two, after which they are placed close to the roof in a special wooden hut and cured in hot smoke for up to 14 days.{{cite web | publisher = Tygodnik Powszechny |language=pl |url = http://tygodnik.onet.pl/37,0,7224,artykul.html | title = Scyplawy i twardsy | date = March 4, 2008 |access-date = June 19, 2008}}

The first mention of cheese production in the Tatra Mountains dates back to the 15th century, in a document from the village of Ochotnica in 1416. The first recorded recipe for Oscypek was issued in 1748 in the Żywiec area.

There is also a smaller form called redykołka, known as the 'younger sister' of oscypek.

Since 14 February 2008 Oscypek has been registered under the European Union Protected Designation of Origin (PDO).{{CELEX|id=32008R0127|format=PDF|text=Commission Regulation (EC) No 127/2008 of 13 February 2008 entering a designation in the register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications (Oscypek (PDO))}}

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{"type": "ExternalData", "service": "geoshape", "ids": "Q1147584", "properties": { "fill": "#FFFF00" } }, //Tatra county

{"type": "ExternalData", "service": "geoshape", "ids": "Q1116177", "properties": { "fill": "#FFFF00" } }, //Bystra-Sidzina commune

{"type": "ExternalData", "service": "geoshape", "ids": "Q167783", "properties": { "fill": "#FFFF00" } }, //Zawoja commune

{"type": "ExternalData", "service": "geoshape", "ids": "Q2081361", "properties": { "fill": "#FFFF00" } }, //Niedźwiedź commune

{"type": "ExternalData", "service": "geoshape", "ids": "Q2461186", "properties": { "fill": "#FFFF00" } }, //Kamienica commune

{"type": "ExternalData", "service": "geoshape", "ids": "Q11798166","properties": { "fill": "#FFFF00" } }, //Olszówka

{"type": "ExternalData", "service": "geoshape", "ids": "Q7278474", "properties": { "fill": "#FFFF00" } }, //Raba Niżna

{"type": "ExternalData", "service": "geoshape", "ids": "Q8080784", "properties": { "fill": "#FFFF00" } }, //Łostówka

{"type": "ExternalData", "service": "geoshape", "ids": "Q9395219", "properties": { "fill": "#FFFF00" } }, //Łętowe

{"type": "ExternalData", "service": "geoshape", "ids": "Q6695500", "properties": { "fill": "#FFFF00" } }, //Lubomierz

{"type": "ExternalData", "service": "geoshape", "ids": "Q2460034", "properties": { "fill": "#FFFF00" } }, //Piwniczna-Zdrój commune

{"type": "ExternalData", "service": "geoshape", "ids": "Q2606201", "properties": { "fill": "#FFFF00" } }, //Muszyna commune

{"type": "ExternalData", "service": "geoshape", "ids": "Q1443261", "properties": { "fill": "#FFFF00" } }, //Krynica-Zdrój commune

{"type": "ExternalData", "service": "geoshape", "ids": "Q553636", "properties": { "fill": "#FFFF00" } }, //Istebna commune

{"type": "ExternalData", "service": "geoshape", "ids": "Q554537", "properties": { "fill": "#FFFF00" } }, //Milówka commune

{"type": "ExternalData", "service": "geoshape", "ids": "Q555569", "properties": { "fill": "#FFFF00" } }, //Węgierska Górka commune

{"type": "ExternalData", "service": "geoshape", "ids": "Q379249", "properties": { "fill": "#FFFF00" } }, //Rajcza commune

{"type": "ExternalData", "service": "geoshape", "ids": "Q555847", "properties": { "fill": "#FFFF00" } }, //Ujsoły commune

{"type": "ExternalData", "service": "geoshape", "ids": "Q553465", "properties": { "fill": "#FFFF00" } }, //Jeleśnia commune

{"type": "ExternalData", "service": "geoshape", "ids": "Q553407", "properties": { "fill": "#FFFF00" } }, //Koszarawa commune

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{{portal|Food}}

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

• {{annotated link|Bundz}} – Polish sheep's milk cheese
• {{annotated link|Gołka}} – Polish cheese similar to oscypek, but made with milk from cattle
• {{annotated link|List of cheeses}}
• {{annotated link|List of Polish cheeses}}
• {{annotated link|List of smoked foods}}
• {{annotated link|List of stretch-curd cheeses}}
• {{annotated link|Polish cuisine}}
• {{annotated link|Redykołka}} – The "younger sister" of oscypek

{{div col end}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Polish cheeses}}

{{Smoked cheese}}

Category:Polish cheeses

Category:Smoked cheeses

Category:Sheep's-milk cheeses

Category:Polish products with protected designation of origin

Category:Cheeses with designation of origin protected in the European Union

Category:Stretched-curd cheeses

Category:Culture of Lesser Poland Voivodeship