Greece: The Home Of Feta Cheese

Feta cheese is an important part of Greek culture, and the country has been making it for around 6000 years. In 2002, feta was registered as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) product, granting Greece the sole right to market its cheese as feta. This decision was reaffirmed by the European Court of Justice in 2005, which sided with Greece in a case against Denmark and Germany. Despite this, the battle to protect the designation of feta cheese as a Greek product continues, with Greece taking legal action against Denmark as recently as 2020 for violating PDO regulations.

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Greece has been making feta for 6000 years

Feta is a Greek brined white cheese made from sheep's milk or a mixture of sheep's and goat's milk. It is soft, crumbly, and slightly grainy, with a tangy, salty, and creamy flavour. Feta is a flagship national product of Greece, with roots that go back to ancient Greece and Homer's Odyssey, which mentions a cheese made from sheep's and goat's milk by Polyphemus, the son of Poseidon, in his cave. The first written mention of feta appears in Homer's Odyssey, which dates from around the 8th century BC.

Greece has been making feta for around 6000 years. The cheese is referenced in some of the greatest works of Greek literature, including Homer's Odyssey. Feta is important to Hellenic culture and is often consumed with almost every meal in Greece. It is used in dishes such as feta fries, feta omelettes, whipped feta, fried feta, and baked feta pasta.

The process of making feta involves allowing the curd to become firm enough to cut and salt. The salted curds are then placed in metal vessels or wooden barrels to infuse for several days. The cheese is then aged or matured in brine for several weeks at room temperature and a further minimum of 2 months in a refrigerated, high-humidity environment. Feta dries relatively quickly, even when refrigerated, and should be stored in brine or lightly salted milk if kept for longer than a week.

In 2002, feta was registered as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) product within the European Union, granting Greece the exclusive right to market its cheese as feta. The PDO status recognises that the local culture, terroir, and history of Greece are integral to the unique taste of feta. This decision was reaffirmed by the European Court of Justice in 2005, which sided with Greece in a case against Denmark and Germany, agreeing that only Greece has the right to call its product feta. The ruling also specified the ingredients and production methods for feta, including the use of unpasteurized sheep's milk or a mixture of sheep's and goat's milk, curdled with rennet and brined.

Denmark and Germany have marketed a feta-like cheese since the 1960s and 1980s

Feta cheese has been a topic of dispute between Greece and other European countries, particularly Denmark and Germany. The debate revolves around the right to produce and market feta cheese, which has been a part of Greek culture and cuisine for thousands of years.

Greece has a long history of producing feta cheese, dating back to ancient times. References to feta can be found in Greek literature, including Homer's Odyssey. In 2002, feta was established as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) product within the European Union, granting Greece the exclusive right to market their cheese as "feta". This decision was reaffirmed by the European Court of Justice in 2005, which sided with Greece in a legal battle against Denmark and Germany over the use of the name "feta" for their cheese products.

However, Denmark and Germany have also been producing and marketing a feta-like cheese for several decades. Denmark started marketing its version of feta cheese in the 1960s, while Germany followed suit in the 1980s. These cheeses were often made with cow's milk, which differs from the traditional Greek feta made with sheep's milk or a mixture of sheep and goat's milk. Despite the PDO status of feta, Danish and German cheese producers continued to use the name "feta" for their products, leading to legal disputes with Greece and the European Union.

The dispute over the use of the name "feta" for cheese produced outside of Greece has been ongoing for decades. Denmark and Germany argued that the term "feta" had become generic in some EU countries and that production was not limited solely to Greece. However, the European Commission and the Court of Justice ultimately sided with Greece, recognizing the cultural and geographical significance of feta to the country.

As a result of the legal battles, Danish and German cheese producers have been forced to rename their feta-like cheese products. Danish dairy company Arla Foods changed the name of its white cheese to "Apetina", while the British cheese "Yorkshire Feta" was renamed to "Fine Fettle Yorkshire". These name changes reflect the recognition of "feta" as a protected designation of origin specifically for cheese produced in Greece according to traditional methods.

Feta is referenced in Homer's Odyssey

Feta cheese is referenced in Homer's Odyssey, an epic poem of over 12,000 lines of dactylic hexameter, written in several different Greek dialects. The Odyssey is believed to have been composed in the 8th century BC and recounts the mythology of Odysseus and his men entering the cave of Cyclops Polyphemus.

In the Odyssey, Odysseus and his men notice the rich, white cheese made with goat and sheep milk in brine. The poem describes Polyphemos' separate area for dairying, where he has all the necessary equipment, including the special vessels that give Feta its shape. The poem also mentions the curdling process, which involves heating the milk over a fire and setting it aside in wicker strainers to form a thick curd.

The ancient roots of Feta cheese are believed to be linked to the myth of Cyclops Polyphemus, who accidentally made the cheese while transporting milk collected from his sheep in skin bags made of animal stomachs. The milk curdled and became solid, tasty, and preservable, leading to the creation of Feta cheese, which took its modern form in the 17th century.

While Homer may not have invented Feta cheese, he certainly devoted many lines of his epic poem to the discovery, making, aging, and consumption of this salty, crumbly Greek delicacy. The reference to Feta in the Odyssey highlights the importance of cheese in ancient Greek culture and its role in the diet of Odysseus and his men.

As for the sole producer of Feta cheese in Europe, Greece has held this distinction since 2002 when Feta was established as a name with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status. This means that only cheese produced in the traditional way in specific regions of Greece, using sheep's milk or a mixture of sheep and goat's milk, can be labeled as Feta. Greece has been making Feta for around 6,000 years, and it plays a significant role in Hellenic culture, often being consumed with various dishes.

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Feta is considered the white gold of Greece's economy

Feta is considered the "white gold" of Greece's economy. In 2002, the European Union granted feta a "Protected Designation of Origin" (PDO) status, meaning only cheese made in specific regions of Greece using traditional methods can legally be called "feta". This decision was the result of a long-standing dispute between Greece and Denmark, with Germany also involved. Denmark and Germany had been marketing a feta-like cheese since the 1960s and 1980s, respectively, and Denmark continued to sell its cow's milk version as feta abroad, leading to legal proceedings in 2020.

The PDO status has protected the authenticity and quality of Greece's iconic cheese as it has gained popularity internationally. Feta has been a staple in Greek cuisine for thousands of years, and its unique flavour and nutritional value have made it a global sensation. Sales have increased by 700% over the past decade, with exports rising from €142 million in 2014 to over €1 billion today. About 65% of the feta produced in Greece is now sold abroad, making it a valuable asset and a leading export.

The recent boom in Greek feta exports can be attributed to a rising awareness of the health benefits associated with the Mediterranean diet. Feta is lower in calories and richer in nutrients than many other cheeses, making it appealing to health-conscious consumers. The global success of feta has attracted significant investment to the Greek dairy industry, with both local producers and foreign investors expanding their production capacities to meet growing demand.

Feta has truly earned its place as the "queen" of Greek cheeses, strengthening Greece's economy and bringing a taste of Greek tradition to tables worldwide.

Denmark has been officially chastised by the EU for selling cow's milk feta

Feta has been a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) product within the European Union since 2002. This means that only cheeses produced in a traditional way in particular areas of Greece, made from sheep's milk or a mixture of sheep's and goat's milk, can be called feta.

Denmark has been selling a feta-like cheese made from cow's milk since the 1960s. While they have marketed this product as "white cheese" or "salad cubes" in supermarkets, Greece has accused Denmark of selling this imitation feta abroad, particularly in countries outside the EU.

In 2020, Greece authorized the EU to begin legal proceedings against Denmark for violating PDO regulations. The EU's highest court ruled that Denmark would be breaking the law if it continued to allow dairies to sell counterfeit feta outside the bloc. The court found that Denmark was hindering the right of Greek producers to a fair income and the EU’s position in talks with trading partners.

Denmark argued that the PDO regulation applies only to products sold within the EU and not to third countries. However, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) concluded that Denmark failed to fulfil its obligations under Regulation 1151/2012 by not taking measures to stop the production and sale of cheese with the designation "Feta", even if it was intended for export outside the EU.

As a result of this ruling, Danish cheese producers have had to rename their products. For example, Danish company Arla Foods changed the name of its white cheese products to Apetina.

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