Cheese is a nutritious and versatile dairy product that finds a place in everyone’s heart.It’s hard to find someone who doesn’t fall for cheese. The creamy and delicious milk product adds an extra flavor to the salads, toasts, and pizzas.Among over a thousand types of cheese produced worldwide, feta is doubtlessly the most popular type of cheese. It is a wonderful source of calcium and protein. With its sharp and tangy flavor and crumbly texture, feta cheese is a must-add ingredient in the diet. Its rich flavor enhances the taste of dishes ranging from delicious starters to yummy desserts. You may wonder what this feta cheese is. Is it any different from the regular cheese that we use? Yes, it is! Read on to get a glimpse of the salty and creamy brined, white feta cheese.If you find food-related facts fascinating, you’ll surely like our fun facts articles on where does cumin come from? And where does cotton come from? Check out these as well!What is feta cheese and how it is made?Feta cheese is a kind of curd cheese aged in brine. Originally, it hails from Greece. This flavorful crumbly cheese is a part of the Mediterranean diet and Greek cuisine. The Greek word ‘feta’ comes from its Italian base, which means slice. The name feta became well known as a kind of cheese in the 19th century, referring to the cheese being cut into bars and slices.Generally, cheese is made with cow’s milk. However, traditionally feta is made entirely from sheep’s milk. This soft, white cheese is also made from a blend of sheep’s and goat’s milk. The production of feta cheese is a long process that involves various stages. The flavor of the cheese is salty and tangy and may be mild or sharp in taste. It has a crumbly texture and is usually served with olives or olive oil. Since it is made of sheep and goats’ milk, it is considered a dairy product and not vegan.Which country does feta cheese come from?Feta is a brined white cheese originally from Greece. It is a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) product in the European Union. Not all cheeses can be called feta cheese. As per the European Union legislation, cheeses made conventionally in specific parts of Greece can only use the term ‘feta.’ Also, cheeses made from sheep’s milk or from a mixture of goat’s milk and sheep’s milk from the same place in a traditional way can only be called feta. It’s noteworthy that the goat’s milk must not exceed 30% in the mixture.Similar white cheeses were produced initially in the eastern Mediterranean region and around the Black sea, which later expanded to several countries, including France, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Germany, and the United States. While actual feta refers to the cheese made from sheep and goat milk, the cheese in these countries is made with cow’s milk wholly or partly.According to the European Union legislation, the name feta can only be used for cheeses made traditionally in mainland Greece and Lesbos prefecture, out of sheep’s and goat’s milk.Where does Athenos feta cheese come from?Feta cheese is originally made from sheep’s milk or a blend of goat’s and sheep’s milk and is of Greek origin. So is that the same for Athenos feta cheese?The answer is no. Athenos feta cheese, which is among the popular cheese brands in the United States, is made from cow’s milk in Wisconsin. Though delicious, it is not as flavorful and is different from the Greek feta cheese.How is feta cheese made?The production of feta cheese has remained unchanged since its invention. Traditionally, feta is made with sheep’s milk. However, it is also made with a combination of sheep’s milk and goat’s milk. The milk can be either pasteurized or raw.The milk is filled in a vat and is brought to a temperature of 95 °F (35 °C). Then rennet, an enzyme, is added to the milk, and the casein is allowed to coagulate. When it sets as curd, it is cut and placed on a mold or a cloth bag and whey drains out. It takes several hours for the curd to get firm. Once it has taken a solid form, the curd is salted and placed in metal or wooden barrels for several days, allowing the flavors and salts to infuse.The barrels of dry salted cheese are then left for aging in brine for at least eight weeks. This gives us fresh and delicious feta. The cheese is then cut into blocks with standardized measurements and sold in containers. Some brine is added to the containers to keep it fresh and prevent the feta from drying when stored for more than a week.Feta cheese is categorized into two varieties-soft feta and firm feta. The soft category is spreadable and creamy in texture and sold at a relatively lower price. The firm variant is tangier than the soft variety and is considered superior in quality, hence more expensive.Feta cheese is an extraordinary source of proteins. It has fewer calories than other types of cheese, making it a healthier option for calorie-conscious cheese lovers. Feta is also rich in minerals such as phosphorus and calcium, both nutrients being significant for bone health. However, feta contains high amounts of saturated fat and sodium. Therefore, drinking plenty of water along with feta will keep the balance.Both goat cheese and feta cheese contain fatty acids, including conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), that are believed to prevent heart disease and reduce body fat, making each one a nutritious option. However, feta cheese is healthier when it comes to calorie count since it’s low on calories. The low-lactose feta cheese is also an ideal choice for lactose-sensitive people. As health-conscious people, it is better to avoid processed cheeses such as Velveeta, and sweetened cottage cheeses or cheese variants that are high in calorie count. These varieties can be the unhealthiest cheeses and can be kept out of our diet. Thus, cheese must be consumed in moderation to reap its benefits.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for what is feta cheese? Where does feta cheese come from? Then why not take a look at where do ducks sleep? Do all ducks sleep with one eye open? Or where do birds go at night? Do birds sleep at night?
Cheese is a nutritious and versatile dairy product that finds a place in everyone’s heart.
