Havarti is named for a farm owned by Hanne Nielsen. She was an intrepid nineteenth-century cheesemaker who travelled widely to increase her knowledge of the job. Her cheese is factory made now and is widely distributed.
The Havarti gourmet cheese has a supple and creamy paste with masses of tiny eyes. The flavor is usually exceedingly mild but it strengthens a little as it matures.
Some cheeses are flavored with, herbs or caraway seeds and served in thin slices for breakfast or use in sandwiches with cucumber and fresh dill weed, mashed dates, or mango chutney.