Quark is a type of fresh
dairy product, common for the cuisines of
German-speaking countries (
Germany,
Austria,
Switzerland), northern Europe (
Denmark,
Estonia,
Finland,
Latvia,
Lithuania,
Norway,
Sweden), the
Netherlands,
Hungary,
Israel, of
Slavic peoples (e.g.
Czechs,
Slovaks,
Poles,
Russians,
Ukrainians and
Belarusians), and of
Ashkenazi Jews. It is made by warming
soured milk until the desired degree of coagulation (denaturation,
curdling) of milk proteins is met, and then strained. It can be classified as
fresh acid-set cheese, though in some countries it is traditionally considered a distinct
fermented milk product. Traditional quark is made without
rennet, but in some modern dairies rennet is added. It is soft, white and unaged, and usually has no salt added.