Feta cheese is one of the flagships of Greek cuisine, and yet, its history and ingredients remain somewhat unknown. If you are among those who wonder whether feta cheese is goat cheese, we’ve got some answers for you.
Is Feta Cheese Goat Cheese?
Feta cheese is a brined, white cheese made from goat’s or sheep’s milk or a combination of both. Tradition dictates that feta be made with sheep’s milk only, but current European standards allow producers to use up to 30% goat’s milk.
Keep in mind that these standards don’t apply to feta cheese made outside the European Union, so read the label carefully to understand the exact composition of the cheese you are buying.
How Is Feta Cheese Made?
Feta has a peculiar, tangy flavor that can be traced back to the way this cheese is made. Here’s how it happens.
When two different types of milk (sheep’s and goat’s milk) are used, the first step is to mix them. The mixture is left to curdle and then placed in containers in order to remove the whey, the watery part of the milk that results from curdling.
At this point, salt is added to the paste, which is divided into blocks ranging in size from one to two kilos. The blocks are placed inside wooden barrels and brine is added, an essential step to preserve the cheese and give it its characteristic flavor.
Finally, the cheese is left within the barrels to age for two or three months before being cut, packaged, and sold.
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