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Brined cheese

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Description

Cheese that is matured in brine

Technical

Brined cheese, also sometimes referred to as pickled cheese for some varieties, is cheese that is matured in brine in an airtight or semi-permeable container. This process gives the cheese good stability, inhibiting bacterial growth even in warmer climates. Brined cheeses may be soft or hard, varying in moisture content and in colour and flavour according to the type of milk used. However, all are rindless and generally taste clean, salty and acidic when fresh, developing some piquancy when aged; most are white.

Sensory Profile

Aroma ()

milkytangybutterysharpyeasty

Wine Analogy

Similar to the saline minerality found in Greek Assyrtiko wines

Coffee Analogy

Resembles the fermented brightness of Kenyan coffee beans

Perfume Analogy

Evokes the lactonic notes in Maison Margiela's 'When the Rain Stops'

Culinary Applications

Feta SaganakiGreeceBrine preservation allows for pan-frying without disintegration
Syrian Cheese BorekLevantSalinity balances the pastry's richness
Bulgarian Shopska SaladBalkansProvides contrasting salinity to fresh vegetables

Dietary

VegetarianGluten-FreeHalalKoshermilk

Research Evidence

What science says

ingredient property

White‐brined cheeses are widely produced in the North‐east Mediterranean area and the Balkans.

white-brined cheeses are produced in North-east Mediterranean area and the Balkans

process mechanism

Traditionally, they were manufactured as artisanal cheeses, and nowadays they are manufactured on an industrial scale, and rigorous control of the production and maturation processes is essential.

white-brined cheeses are manufactured as artisanal cheeses

process mechanism

Traditionally, they were manufactured as artisanal cheeses, and nowadays they are manufactured on an industrial scale, and rigorous control of the production and maturation processes is essential.

white-brined cheeses are manufactured on an industrial scale

technique parameter

Turkish White-brined cheese was manufactured using Lactococcus strains (Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis NCDO763 plus L. lactis ssp. cremoris SK11 and L. lactis ssp. lactis UC317 plus L. lactis ssp. cremoris HP) or without a starter culture, and ripened for 90 d.

Turkish White-brined cheese influenced by Lactococcus strains

ingredient property

The basic cheesemaking process places halloumi in the family of white brined cheeses, but some of its characteristics are quite unique.

Halloumi cheese is classified as a white brined cheese

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