Randy Chandler
Feta cheese is a popular Greek delicacy that has been loved by people worldwide for its unique flavour and creamy texture. While traditionally it is made from sheep's milk or a mix of sheep and goat milk, it is now also commonly made from cow's milk, especially in the US. Aldi, a popular grocery store, sells feta cheese, which has become a favourite among its customers. People have been using Aldi's feta cheese to make the viral TikTok baked feta pasta and other dishes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Feta Cheese Type | Cow's milk, Sheep's milk, Goat's milk |
| Feta Cheese Brand | Dodoni, Olympus |
| Feta Cheese Origin | Greece |
| Feta Cheese Recipe | Pasteurized sheep's milk, pasteurized goat's milk, rennet, starter culture, salt |
| Feta Cheese Flavor | Tangy, creamy |
| Feta Cheese Texture | Mild |
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What You'll Learn
Aldi's Feta Cheese is made from cow's milk
Feta cheese is a popular delicacy with a rich history, dating back to Homer's Odyssey. While traditional Greek feta is made from sheep and goat milk, most domestic feta cheese in the US, including Aldi's Feta Cheese, is made from cow's milk. This is because cow's milk is more readily available and cost-effective for large-scale production.
Aldi's Feta Cheese is a fan favorite, with many customers raving about its unique flavor and versatility in dishes. It has become particularly famous on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, with users creating their own twists on recipes like baked feta pasta and feta tomato dishes. The mild and buttery flavor of cow's milk feta from Aldi is perfect for pasta and salad recipes, where a stronger-tasting feta may be undesirable.
While some people prefer the traditional Greek feta made with sheep and goat milk, cow's milk feta has its own advantages. For those with sensitivity to sheep or goat milk, cow's milk feta provides a delicious alternative. It is also generally milder in taste, making it a good choice for those who prefer a less tangy flavor in their dishes.
It's important to note that while Aldi's Feta Cheese is made from cow's milk, they also offer other cheese options made from goat and sheep milk. For example, Aldi's Emporium Selection includes goat cheese crumbles and logs in various flavors, such as original and sundried tomato basil. These options provide customers with a range of choices to suit their preferences and dietary needs.
In conclusion, Aldi's Feta Cheese is made from cow's milk, contributing to its mild and buttery flavor profile. This cow's milk feta has gained popularity among customers, especially with the viral social media recipes, for its versatility in creating delicious dishes without the overpowering taste that traditional Greek feta can sometimes impart.
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Feta Cheese is traditionally made from goat's milk
Feta cheese is a staple in Greek cuisine and the Mediterranean diet. It is made by separating and curing curds from milk using bacteria and enzymes. Traditional feta cheese is made from 100% sheep's milk or a combination of sheep's milk and up to 30% goat's milk. However, feta produced outside the EU may also contain cow's milk.
In the US, most feta cheese is made with cow's milk. According to US labeling rules, cow's milk can be listed as just "milk" in the ingredients, while other types of milk, such as goat or sheep's milk, must be identified by the animal name. This makes it easier to identify traditional feta cheese made with sheep's and goat's milk.
The main difference between feta and goat cheese is the type of milk used. Feta is made primarily with sheep's milk, while goat cheese is made with goat's milk. Both cheeses are typically white and have a creamy mouthfeel. Feta has a nuttier smell and a tangy, salty taste due to the brine curing process. Goat cheese has a stronger, earthy aroma and a bolder, tart flavor. Feta is usually shaped into blocks during production and has a slightly grainy texture, while goat cheese is often shaped into logs, wheels, or triangular blocks and may have an edible rind.
Aldi sells an 8-ounce block of feta cheese that has become a fan favorite, especially for making the viral Baked Feta Pasta dish. While Aldi's feta cheese is likely made with cow's milk, as is common in the US, the company also offers a variety of goat cheese products, including crumbles and logs.
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Goat milk Feta Cheese is an option for those allergic to cow's milk
Feta cheese is a popular Greek cheese with a unique flavour. While the traditional Greek feta is made from sheep's or goat's milk, most feta cheese in the US is made from cow's milk. However, some people may be allergic to cow's milk and experience reactions such as urticaria, swelling, and rhinoconjunctivitis. In such cases, goat's milk feta cheese can be a suitable alternative.
Goat's milk feta cheese is an option for those allergic to cow's milk because it does not contain the same allergens. People with cow's milk allergy can experience adverse reactions due to the presence of specific cow's milk proteins, such as α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin, which are absent in goat's milk. These proteins can trigger an immune response in individuals with cow's milk allergy, leading to allergic symptoms.
However, it is important to note that some people may also be allergic to goat's milk and experience similar allergic reactions. While goat's milk feta cheese may be a substitute for those allergic to cow's milk, it is always advisable to consult a healthcare professional or a dietitian for personalized advice and to determine safe alternatives.
In addition to goat's milk feta cheese, there are other options for individuals with cow's milk allergy. For infants, extensively hydrolyzed cow's milk formulas can be recommended as they contain broken-down milk proteins that are less likely to cause an allergic reaction. Once infants are ready to transition from formula, alternatives such as soy milk or rice milk may be considered, provided there are no allergies to those foods.
While goat's milk feta cheese can be an option for those allergic to cow's milk, it is important to remember that individual allergies can vary. Some people may be allergic to both cow's and goat's milk, while others may tolerate goat's milk products without issue. It is always essential to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of action for managing food allergies.
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Feta Cheese is a fan-favourite at Aldi
Aldi's feta cheese has gained a lot of popularity, especially among those who have used it to recreate the viral TikTok baked feta pasta dish. The 8-ounce block of feta from Aldi has received rave reviews from Instagram users who have tried it with the honey goat cheese available at the store. The combination of feta, goat cheese, and fresh herbs has proven to be a winning one, with many users sharing their delicious creations online.
While the exact ingredients of Aldi's feta cheese are not publicly available, it is believed to be made with cow's milk, based on the mild flavour profile described by those who have tasted it. This is consistent with most feta cheese produced in the US, which is typically made with cow's milk, while imported feta is more likely to be made with sheep's and goat's milk.
For those who prefer the traditional Greek feta, made with sheep's and goat's milk, options like Olympus feta are available. This variety has a distinctive tangy taste and creamy finish, making it perfect for salads and other dishes. However, for those with cow's milk sensitivity, goat's milk feta can be a delicious alternative, and Aldi's selection of goat cheeses, including logs and crumbles, offers plenty of options for customisation.
Overall, Aldi's feta cheese has won the hearts of many, and its versatility in various recipes, as well as its accessibility, has made it a go-to choice for cheese lovers and home cooks alike. Whether it's the traditional Greek feta or the more commonly found cow's milk variety, Aldi's selection caters to different tastes and dietary preferences, solidifying its place as a fan-favourite.
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Feta Cheese originated in Greece
Feta cheese is a Greek flagship national product with a long history. The earliest documented reference to cheese production in Greece dates back to the 8th century BC. The technology used to make cheese from sheep and goat milk is similar to the technology used by Greek shepherds today to produce feta. In Homer's Odyssey, Polyphemus, a cyclops, is described as making and dry-storing cheese in wicker racks. While Homer does not mention brining, it is speculated that this resulted in a rinded cheese similar to modern pecorino and caprino, or possibly feta. E. M. Antifantakis and G. Moatsou state that Polyphemus' cheese was "undoubtedly the ancestor of modern Feta".
The name "feta" means "slice" and originated in the 17th century, probably referring to the practice of slicing up cheese to be placed into barrels. The word "feta" prevailed in the 19th century and has since been used to characterise a cheese that has been prepared for centuries using the same general technique.
In the European Union, only cheeses produced in a traditional way in particular areas of Greece and made from sheep's milk, or a mixture of sheep's milk and up to 30% goat's milk from the same area, can be called "feta". Similar white brined cheeses are made traditionally in the Balkans, Cyprus, around the Black Sea, in West Asia, and more recently elsewhere. Outside the EU, the name "feta" is often used generically for these types of cheeses.
Feta is a prominent ingredient in Greek cuisine and is used in a variety of dishes, including the classic Greek salad, horiatiki, where the feta is served on top in a large block rather than crumbled or cubed. Other dishes include feta wrapped in phyllo and fried, drizzled with honey and sesame seeds, tossed in scrambled eggs with tomatoes, served with smoked eggplant and red peppers, coated in granola and seeds and paired with jam, and in a creamy pasta dish with zucchini, lemon, and dill.
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Frequently asked questions
Aldi's feta cheese is likely made from cow's milk. While traditional feta cheese is made from goat's milk, almost all feta cheese produced in the US is made from cow's milk.
Goat's milk feta has a stronger flavor than cow's milk feta, which is milder.
Aldi sells goat cheese, but it is not clear if they sell goat's milk feta.
