[1] The village of Burträsk (now part of the Skellefteå municipality) claims Västerbotten cheese was invented there in the 1870s, supposedly by a dairy maid, Ulrika Eleonora Lindström [sv] (1835-1892).

[citation needed] Västerbottencheese and västerbottensost are registered trademarks owned by Norrmejerier,[3] and the cheese is produced only at their dairy in Burträsk.

In Sweden, Västerbotten cheese is considered a must-have for the late summer crayfish party and is also eaten together with the traditional dish of pickled herring, year round.

It adds a distinctive flavour to the highly popular Västerbotten cheese pie, or västerbottensostpaj, as it is known in Sweden.

[7] The pie is eaten widely in Sweden, especially during the celebrations of Christmas, Easter, Midsummer and during the crayfish season in August.