Randy Chandler
Feta cheese is a soft, crumbly, and salty Greek cheese made from sheep's or goat's milk. It is a popular ingredient in Mediterranean dishes such as salads. The process of making feta involves curdling the milk, fermenting it in wooden barrels or metal containers for a few months, and then salting and curing it in a brine solution. The question of whether feta cheese is halal arises due to Islamic dietary laws that classify foods as either halal (permissible) or haram (forbidden). The key determinant of whether feta is halal lies in the source of rennet, an ingredient used in the cheese-making process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of milk used | Sheep or goat's milk |
| Rennet | Microbial rennet |
| Texture | Soft, crumbly |
| Colour | White |
| Flavour | Salty, tangy |
| Halal | Yes |
| Brands | Nikos, Dairyland Sut Diyari, One World, Triple A Cheese, Summer Fresh, Your Fresh Market, Salerno, Sysco Imperial, Silani, Roomez, Arad Foods, Azan Foods, BC Harvest Foods, Farm Boy Company, Goodfood, Gordon Food Service, Ideal Food Service, Jan K Overweel, Kariba Foods |
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What You'll Learn
Feta cheese is made from sheep or goat milk
Feta cheese is a Greek brined white cheese with a salty and tangy taste. It is soft, crumbly, and has a slightly grainy texture. It is formed into large blocks and aged in brine. Feta is made from sheep's milk or a mix of sheep and goat milk. The way it is made is unique. First, the milk is curdled, then put in wooden barrels or metal containers to ferment for a few months. After that, the feta is cut into slices or blocks, salted, and cured in a brine solution. This process gives the cheese its characteristic tangy flavour and crumbly texture.
Feta cheese is made from sheep's milk or a blend of sheep and goat milk. While some sources state that feta is traditionally made from sheep's milk, others claim that it can also be made with goat or cow milk, or any combination of the three. However, according to EU legislation and similar UK legislation, only cheeses produced in specific areas of Greece using sheep milk or a combination of sheep and goat milk (with a maximum of 30% goat milk) can be labelled as feta. This legislation also applies to Northern Ireland and several other countries where the term feta is protected.
The process of making feta cheese has remained consistent for centuries. It is believed to have originated in ancient Greece, where Greek shepherds used similar techniques to produce feta. The earliest documented reference to cheese production in Greece dates back to the 8th century BC. In Homer's Odyssey, Polyphemus, a character, is described as making and dry-storing cheese in wicker racks. While brining is not mentioned in this account, it is believed that the practice of preserving cheese in brine is much older.
The unique flavour and aroma of feta cheese are attributed to the biodiversity of the land and the special breeds of sheep and goats used for milk production. High-quality feta should have aromas of ewe's milk, butter, and yoghurt, with a tangy, slightly salty, and mildly sour taste, and a hint of spice and sweetness. The texture of feta can vary from firm and crumbly to rich and creamy, depending on its preparation and ageing process.
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Rennet decides if cheese is halal or haram
Feta cheese is made from sheep's or goat's milk. To make the milk thick, rennet is added, causing the milk to separate into curds and whey. The curds are then cut into small pieces, drained, and salted to be preserved. The source of the rennet is crucial in determining whether the cheese is halal or haram.
According to Islamic law, some foods are halal (permitted) and others are haram (forbidden). The interpretation of Islamic law can vary, and there are different opinions on whether cheese made with animal rennet is halal or haram.
One opinion is that if the rennet is haram, the cheese becomes haram as well. However, others argue that since rennet is only used to separate the curds and whey and does not remain in the cheese, it is still halal.
The Hanafi School holds that rennet obtained from an animal, regardless of whether it was slaughtered by a Muslim or non-Muslim, is permissible as long as the animal is not a pig. This is because rennet is not derived from pigs and does not contain blood, so it is not considered a living thing.
Some scholars, like Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah, support the view that cheese made with rennet from a dead animal is permissible. On the other hand, Maalik, al-Shaafa'i, and Ahmad consider such cheese forbidden because they view the rennet and milk from a dead animal as impure.
To ensure that cheese is halal, some brands use vegetarian methods, such as microbial enzymes, to make cheese. These cheeses are certified as halal and safe for individuals with Islamic dietary restrictions.
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Some brands offer halal-certified feta cheese
Feta cheese is traditionally made from sheep's milk or a combination of sheep's and goat's milk. The primary ingredient is milk from sheep or goats, which is thickened with rennet. The source of rennet is critical in determining whether the cheese is halal or not. Rennet derived from non-halal animals renders the cheese haram and impermissible under Islamic dietary laws.
However, several brands now offer halal-certified feta cheese. These companies use vegetarian methods, such as microbial enzymes, instead of rennet, to adhere to strict guidelines set by halal certification authorities. This makes their feta cheese permissible for individuals following Islamic dietary restrictions.
Some examples of halal-certified feta cheese brands include Triple A Cheese, which offers a wide range of feta cheese products, including Hard Feta, Creamy Feta, Cow & Goat Hard Feta, Macedonian Style Feta, Light Feta, Spreadable Feta, Crumbled Feta, Cubed Feta, and more. Another brand is Summer Fresh, which offers Cubed Feta, and Your Fresh Market, which provides Crumbled Feta.
In addition to these options, there are other brands that produce halal-certified feta cheese, such as Sysco Imperial, Silani, Farm Boy Company, Eurotrade Foods, and more. These brands ensure that their feta cheese is permissible for Muslims by using microbial rennet, which is derived from halal sources. This allows individuals following Islamic dietary laws to enjoy a variety of feta cheese products without compromising their religious beliefs.
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Feta is a popular ingredient in Mediterranean dishes
Feta is a versatile ingredient used in a variety of Mediterranean dishes. It is commonly added to salads, such as the popular Greek salad, which typically includes a mix of tomatoes, olives, and aromatic herbs like oregano. Feta can also be served cooked or grilled, as part of sandwiches, omelettes, or pastries. For example, it is used in the phyllo-based Greek dishes spanakopita (spinach pie) and tyropita (cheese pie).
Baked feta is a simple Mediterranean appetiser that can be served with seasonal vegetables, especially on top of a Greek salad. It can also be served as a side dish with dips like sokrdalia (garlic and potato dip) or melitzanosalata (eggplant dip). When baked, feta transforms into a warm and creamy spread, making it a perfect addition to crusty bread or homemade pita chips.
Feta is also used in pastries and pies. The soft variety of feta, which is almost spreadable, is commonly used in pies and is more affordable than the firm variety. High-quality feta should have a creamy texture and aromas of ewe's milk, butter, and yoghurt. In terms of taste, it is tangy, slightly salty, mildly sour, and finishes with a hint of spice and sweetness.
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Goat cheese is a favourite in French cuisine
Goat cheese, or 'chèvre' in French, is a beloved part of French cuisine. In fact, France is the largest producer of pure goat cheeses in the world, with over 6,000 goat cheese producers and 60 dairies producing over 265 million pounds of goat cheese each year. French farmers manage the third-largest goat herd in Europe, with 1,381,000 goats. Goat cheese has been made for at least 5,000 years, with the first documented proof of humans making cheese of any kind dating back 7,500 years.
French goat cheese is incredibly diverse, with a wide range of flavours, styles, and textures. It can be made from either raw or pasteurized milk, and can be crumbly or creamy, young or aged. Chèvre comes in a variety of shapes, including discs, wheels, logs, pyramids, and buttons. The diverse geography and climate of France's eight goat cheese-producing regions contribute to the many varieties of goat cheese crafted there. Fourteen French goat cheeses have the PDO (Product Designation of Origin) label, ensuring that the Chèvre has been made in a strictly designated geographical area using only local milk and traditional production techniques.
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. In France, it is often served for breakfast, drizzled with honey, or paired with peaches. It is also commonly used in scrambled eggs, frittatas, mac and cheese, gratins, and roasted vegetables. Goat cheese can also be used in place of mascarpone in recipes such as stuffed shells. For dessert, it can be served with dark chocolate and fresh berries. When it comes to wine pairings, acidic, mineral-driven, and citrusy wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Chenin Blanc go well with the tangy flavour of Chèvre.
In terms of halal status, goat cheese can be halal-certified if it is made with microbial rennet, which is derived from microorganisms rather than animals. This type of rennet is halal and safe for Muslims to consume. However, it is important to check the ingredients and certification of specific goat cheese products, as the use of animal-derived rennet would make the cheese haram.
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Frequently asked questions
Feta cheese is made from either sheep's milk or a mix of sheep and goat's milk.
Yes, feta cheese is halal. It is made from goat's or sheep's milk, which is halal, and the rennet used to make the cheese is often microbial, which is also halal.
Rennet is an enzyme that curdles milk to make cheese. The source of rennet determines if the cheese is halal or not. Rennet from non-halal animals makes the cheese haram, while microbial rennet is halal.
Some brands that offer halal feta cheese include Dairyland Sut Diyari, Nikos, and Triple A Cheese.
