What Does Feta Cheese Taste Like: Delicate Cheese Like No Other
When it comes to cheeses, feta is considered to be one of the best. You will often hear it amongst epicureans who would not settle for anything less when it comes to their food. For many of you, admittedly, a lot have not yet tasted feta cheese.
If you are wondering about what does feta cheese taste like, read this guide and we’ll share some insights that you should know. As a bonus, we’ll tackle not only its distinct flavor, but we’ll also look at some of the best ways to eat feta cheese, making sure that there will be an explosion of flavors in your mouth.
What Does Feta Cheese Taste Like?
Before we discuss its taste, let us first look at what feta cheese is, which will give you an idea of its taste. It is a cheese curd that is made in a brine solution. The process of making this cheese takes at least three months, which allows better absorption of flavor.
Salty and tangy – this is the best way to describe the taste of the traditional feta cheese from Greece. There is a hint of lemon in the end, but it is not overpowering. In terms of texture, on the other hand, it is creamy. There are some variations that have more crumbles, which is the case when there is more goat’s cheese.
There are other countries that make feta cheese, such as France, Denmark, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Romania, among others. These cheeses are technically known as white cheese, although there are some common characteristics it shares with feta.
One thing that makes the taste of feta different is the fact that it is more flavorful. A lot of cheeses are made from cow’s milk. It is soft and mild, which is different from feta that is stronger in flavor and has a crumbly texture.
Among other things, one of the major reasons why feta cheese has a distinct taste is because of what the goat eats in Greece. It allows their milk to be seasoned in a distinct way, and hence, providing a unique flavor to the cheese. Humidity, temperature, and bacterial cultures, among others, will also affect its taste.
Health Benefits Of Feta Cheese
The good thing about feta cheese is that it is not only delicious, but it is also good for the health. This is a common choice of cheese for weight watchers. However, like in the case of other cheeses, be sure to consume it in moderation.
One of the health benefits of feta cheese is that the calories are fewer compared to other types of cheeses. In fact, according to some studies, its caloric content is 33% lower compared to conventional cheeses.
The fat content is also less. It is 1/3 lower compared to most of the other types of cheeses that are available. There are some who market their cheese as low-fat, but this compromises the flavor. It is advisable that you do not use such cheese.
Lastly, feta choose has a high content of calcium. One teaspoon of feta cheese already contains 140 milligrams of calcium. With this, it will be helpful in strengthening your bone and lessening the likelihood of suffering from osteoporosis, among other problems.
How To Use Feta Cheese
While feta cheese can be eaten on its own, some people would prefer to use it in other ways. The sky is the limit when it comes to how you can be creative with various recipes and use feta cheese as one of the main ingredients.
In almost anything that uses cheese, you can consider feta cheese as the perfect replacement. You can use it on top of your pasta or shred it in your salad. It will make a filling addition to a healthy sandwich. If you love omelets, adding feta cheese will give it a distinct flavor.
Another unique thing to do with feta cheese is to have it preserved in olive oil. Oil is known as an excellent preservative, which makes it one of the best ways to prolong the shelf life of feta cheese. To make it more flavorful, combine feta cheese and olive oil with herb garlic and tomatoes.
There are also several ways to which it will be possible to enhance the flavor of feta, making it more of a mouthwatering treat. For instance, there are some people who opt to eat it alongside cilantro, eggs, black beans, and salsa, which will result in complementary flavors.
You can also experiment with different herbs and spices that will effectively maximize the flavor of feta cheese. Fennel, pepper, and salt are some of the best spices that go along well with feta cheese. Cumin, chili flakes, and paprika, meanwhile, are perfect for you prefer it hot.
Conclusion
So, what does feta cheese taste like? Below is the answer to the question, as well as the other important points that we have discussed above.
- Feta is made from sheep’s and goat’s milk. It is brined for about three months. The resulting taste is salty and tangy. Its color is white and the texture is crumbly, unlike other cheeses that tend to be creamy.
- Aside from being a delicious treat, feta cheese is also popular for its health benefits. It is high in calcium, making it good for the bones. It has low fat and calories.
- Eating feta cheese on its own may be boring for some. You can experiment with various recipes. You can make it part of your sandwich, salad, or pasta, among others.
- To maximize the taste of feta, you can also use herbs and spices, such as cilantro, chili flakes, paprika, and cumin, among others.
Have you tasted feta cheese before? How did it taste? Feel free to leave a comment below.