Gerlach: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 21:48, 13 November 2023

The origin of Gerlach traces back to the entrepreneurial spirit of John W. Gerlach, who began his venture in the area in 1831, selling goods before later establishing a general store in the village in 1837. Alongside his store, Gerlach initiated a small horse mill and a tannery. The village acquired its official name in June 1850, flourishing with the rise of small underground coal mines in the late 19th century, spurring rapid population growth. At the dawn of the 20th century, Gerlach thrived with a larger population compared to its present size. In response to perceived threats from neighboring regions, Gerlach sought protection, ultimately becoming an Oranjestad colony in 1910. However, as part of Oranjestad's efforts to decolonize, the town was auctioned off to the Equos Government on April 30, 2018.

Evidences of the past mining ventures still linger in the area, evident through the remnants of the collapsed bridge to Colony Bay and the sunken road to the north and east of the village. By the 1940s, the underground mines had dissipated, with the smaller surface mines relocating, leading to the village shrinking substantially from its thriving days. Today, Gerlach revolves around cheese production, a tradition exclusively maintained by the descendants of John W. Gerlach.

Gerlach Cheese

An emblematic culinary delight exclusive to Gerlach, Gerlach cheese epitomizes a fresh, creamy offering akin to cream cheese but distinct due to specific Oranjestad legislation. This unique cheese mandates the inclusion of live cultures when marketed, unlike cream cheese where fermentation ceases. Crafted from whole or skimmed milk and cream, Gerlach cheese boasts a consistency akin to cream cheese but with a lower fat content. While pure Gerlach is nearly fat-free, the addition of cream enhances flavor while elevating the fat content to about 8% of its total weight. This versatile cheese can be enjoyed in various ways. It serves as a dessert, akin to yogurt, often accompanied by fruits, used as a spread on bread paired with jam, or incorporated into savory dishes. Notably, in several Oldeshire countries, Gerlach finds its place on supermarket shelves alongside yogurts, celebrating its unique taste and heritage.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-[[File:Gerlach.png|200px|thumb|left|Gerlach, looking south]]
+[[File:Gerlach.png|400px|thumb|left|Gerlach, looking south]]
-Gerlach was founded by entrepreneur John W. Gerlach, who first sold goods in the Gerlach area, briefly in 1831. Although he would later relocate to the Colony Bay area, he returned and opened a general store in Gerlach in 1837. Soon after he built a small horse mill as well as a tannery. The village itself was officially named in June 1850. In the late 19th century, small underground coal mines began to appear near the village and the population expanded rapidly. At the turn of the 20th century, the population was much larger than it is today. Gerlach became an [[Oranjestad]] colony in 1910 at their request to counter what they perceived as aggression from their neighbors Phasma to the west and Darktown to the north.
-Signs of the underground mines remain to this day, including the collapsed bridge to Colony Bay and the sunken road north and east of the village. By the 1940s, the underground mines were gone and the small surface mines had moved on. Today, the village is substantially smaller than it was in its heyday. The main industry today is cheese production, produced exclusively by the descendants of John W. Gerlach.
+The origin of '''Gerlach''' traces back to the entrepreneurial spirit of John W. Gerlach, who began his venture in the area in 1831, selling goods before later establishing a general store in the village in 1837. Alongside his store, Gerlach initiated a small horse mill and a tannery. The village acquired its official name in June 1850, flourishing with the rise of small underground coal mines in the late 19th century, spurring rapid population growth. At the dawn of the 20th century, Gerlach thrived with a larger population compared to its present size.
+In response to perceived threats from neighboring regions, Gerlach sought protection, ultimately becoming an [[Oranjestad]] colony in 1910. However, as part of Oranjestad's efforts to decolonize, the town was auctioned off to the Equos Government on April 30, 2018.
-==Gerlach Cheese==
+[[File:GerlachB.JPG|200px|thumb|right|Gerlach Family Flag]]
-Gerlach cheese is a fresh cheese exclusively made in Gerlach. Gerlach cheese is very similar to a mozzarella style, but differs in that, according to Oranjestad legislation, Gerlach cheese must contain live cultures when sold, whereas in mozzarella, fermentation has ceased.
+Evidences of the past mining ventures still linger in the area, evident through the remnants of the collapsed bridge to Colony Bay and the sunken road to the north and east of the village. By the 1940s, the underground mines had dissipated, with the smaller surface mines relocating, leading to the village shrinking substantially from its thriving days. Today, Gerlach revolves around cheese production, a tradition exclusively maintained by the descendants of John W. Gerlach.
-Gerlach cheese is a creamy soft cheese made with whole or skimmed milk and cream. It has the consistency of cream cheese, but less fat. Pure Gerlach is virtually fat free, but cream is frequently added to improve the flavor, which also increases the fat content, frequently to as high as 8% of total weight.
+==Gerlach Cheese==
-Gerlach can be served either as a dessert similar to yogurt, frequently with added fruit, spread on bread, usually over or under jam, or used in savory dishes. In many Oldeshire countries, Gerlach is sold in supermarkets alongside yogurts.
+An emblematic culinary delight exclusive to Gerlach, Gerlach cheese epitomizes a fresh, creamy offering akin to cream cheese but distinct due to specific Oranjestad legislation. This unique cheese mandates the inclusion of live cultures when marketed, unlike cream cheese where fermentation ceases.
+Crafted from whole or skimmed milk and cream, Gerlach cheese boasts a consistency akin to cream cheese but with a lower fat content. While pure Gerlach is nearly fat-free, the addition of cream enhances flavor while elevating the fat content to about 8% of its total weight.
+This versatile cheese can be enjoyed in various ways. It serves as a dessert, akin to yogurt, often accompanied by fruits, used as a spread on bread paired with jam, or incorporated into savory dishes. Notably, in several [[Oldeshire]] countries, Gerlach finds its place on supermarket shelves alongside yogurts, celebrating its unique taste and heritage.