Randy Chandler
Feta cheese is a beloved part of Greek cuisine, with the average person in Greece consuming 50 pounds of it annually. Outside of Greece, feta cheese is also widely consumed and can be found in grocery stores. The quality of feta cheese can vary, ranging from delicious to chalky, bland, or sour. The type of milk used and the aging process significantly impact the texture and flavour of the cheese. While feta cheese is traditionally made with sheep and goat's milk, most feta produced in the US is made with cow's milk. For those seeking the best feta cheese to elevate their culinary creations, here is an introduction to the top brands and varieties available outside of Greece.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Best Feta Cheese Brands | Mt. Vikos, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Costco, Dodoni, Ipeiros, Valbreso |
| Type of Milk | Sheep, Goat, Cow or a blend |
| Texture | Creamy, Moist, Dense, Crumbly, Dry, Tangy |
| Flavour | Salty, Grassy, Lemony, Funky, Peppery, Mild, Buttery, Rich, Complex, Earthy, Sour, Bitter, Bland |
| Packaging | Blocks, Crumbles, Chunks, Crumbled |
| Preservation | Stored in Brine to retain flavour and moisture |
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What You'll Learn
Feta cheese made from goat's milk
Feta is a Greek cheese that is heavily salted and mildly aged. It is traditionally made with goat or sheep milk, but it can also be made with cow's milk with the addition of lipase powder. The best feta cheese is said to be packaged in sealed bags surrounded by brine to maintain its flavour and moisture.
Goat milk feta cheese is available from LaClare Family Creamery, a Wisconsin-based goat cheese maker. This cheese is crumbly and tangy, making it perfect for summer salads. LaClare Farms, which produces the cheese, is one of Wisconsin's most accomplished goat cheese makers.
Although feta is traditionally made with goat or sheep milk, it can be difficult to find. One source suggests that feta made with sheep's milk tastes much better than the rubbery cow's milk feta. The best feta cheese you can find at the grocery store is made in Greece, according to one source. However, another source suggests that Israeli feta, made with 100% sheep's milk, is a good option as it comes in two packages, allowing you to keep one in the fridge for later.
If you are looking for a vegan option, Athenos offers a vegan feta cheese that is briney and creamy. It is a great option for those who are used to plant-based cheeses.
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Feta cheese made from sheep's milk
Feta cheese is a brined, salty, white cheese that is usually Greek, although other countries produce it. While feta can be made from sheep's milk, goat's milk, or a combination of the two, it is often made from cow's milk. This is especially true of feta produced in the US, where labelling laws do not require cow's milk to be specified, whereas other types of milk must be identified.
Some people prefer feta made from sheep's milk, which is considered more traditional. Sheep's milk feta is said to taste much better than the "rubbery" cow's milk variety. One source claims that the best feta cheese they found at the grocery store was made in Greece. This feta was described as "creamy", "moist", and "grassy", with flavours that go "beyond tang".
If you are looking for feta cheese made from sheep's milk, there are several options available. Green Dirt Farm produces an artisan sheep's milk feta cheese. This cheese is made in small batches by hand and is described as "aromatic", with "complex flavours". Another option is the French sheep's milk feta Valbreso, which has a nutty and complex flavour with a good balance of richness, salt, and tang. This cheese can be purchased on Amazon or at Whole Foods. Finally, Costco offers an organic Greek feta and an Israeli feta, both made with 100% sheep's milk.
While not made from sheep's milk exclusively, Mt. Vikos feta cheese is widely regarded as the best brand of feta cheese by several experts. This feta is packaged in sealed bags surrounded by brine, which helps to preserve its flavour and moisture.
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Feta cheese made from cow's milk
Feta cheese is traditionally made with sheep's milk or a mix of sheep and goat's milk. However, due to the lower yield of goat and sheep milk, it is easier to find high-quality cow's milk in supermarkets, and some feta cheese is made with cow's milk, particularly in the United States. According to US labelling rules, cow's milk can be listed as "milk" in the ingredients, while other types of milk must be identified, for example, as "goat milk". Therefore, if the packaging does not specify the type of milk used, it is likely to be cow's milk.
Some people prefer feta made with sheep's milk, claiming that cow's milk feta is rubbery and inferior in taste. However, others have praised the nuttiness and complexity of French sheep's milk feta, such as the brand Valbreso, available at Whole Foods, while also acknowledging the appeal of cow's milk feta options, such as those available at Trader Joe's and Costco.
When purchasing feta cheese, it is important to consider the brining liquid, as this helps to preserve the flavour and texture of the cheese. Feta packed in brine holds onto its flavour and moisture better than pre-crumbled versions, which tend to dry out faster.
While there are varying opinions on the best brand of feta cheese, Mt. Vikos is recommended by several culinary experts for its quality, consistency, and taste. This brand packages its feta in sealed bags surrounded by brine, which contributes to its favourable characteristics.
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Feta cheese from Greece
Feta is a popular ingredient in Greece, with the average person consuming 50 pounds of it annually. It is a brined, salty, white cheese made from sheep's milk or a combination of sheep and goat milk.
When it comes to the best brand of feta cheese from Greece, three culinary experts, Marissa Stevens, Jessica Randhawa, and Sally Cameron, recommend Mt. Vikos. They praise its quality, consistency, and taste, noting that it is widely available in stores. The cheese is packaged in sealed bags surrounded by brine, which helps maintain its flavour, moisture, and freshness.
Another option for feta cheese from Greece is the Whole Foods brand, which offers a 16-ounce block of cheese packed in brine. This feta is described as having a delightful acidity, a clean and palatable flavour, and a creamy texture due to the moisture from the brine. It is also a good value for money compared to other options.
When shopping for feta cheese, it is important to consider the type of milk used and the sodium content. In the EU, feta is required to contain at least 70% sheep's milk and up to 30% goat's milk, while cow's milk is not used. Feta made with sheep's milk tends to have sharper flavours, while goat's milk adds a mellower taste. Checking the label is essential, as feta should ideally be made only with milk, culture, salt, and rennet.
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Feta cheese from outside Greece
Feta cheese is an important ingredient in Greek cuisine, and an integral part of the Mediterranean diet. It is typically made from sheep's milk or a combination of sheep's and goat's milk. While the best feta cheese is said to come from Greece, there are some good alternatives available outside of the country.
One option for feta cheese from outside Greece is to look for feta-style cheeses. These are cheeses that are similar to feta but cannot be labelled as feta because they are not made in Greece. One example is Valbreso, a French sheep's milk cheese that is said to be creamy and delicious. It can be purchased on Amazon or at Whole Foods, but it is on the pricier side. Another option is to look for feta cheese made by companies based in other Mediterranean countries, such as Italy. While a Greek feta purist may reject these as counterfeit, they can still be tasty.
Some brands of feta cheese that are widely available in grocery stores outside of Greece include Athenos, which offers a variety of feta products, including crumbles and chunks in brine, and President, which has been mentioned by those following the Mediterranean diet. Costco has also been recommended as a source for Israeli feta made with 100% sheep's milk, as well as organic Greek feta. Trader Joe's also offers a block of Israeli feta that some prefer over Greek feta.
When choosing feta cheese, it is important to consider how you plan to use it. For example, crumbled feta is great for sprinkling on salads, while a creamier variety would be better for baking or cooking. Feta packed in brine will also hold onto its flavour and moisture better than pre-crumbled versions, which tend to dry out quickly.
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Frequently asked questions
Three experts agree that the best brand of feta cheese is Mt. Vikos. This is because the cheese is packaged in sealed bags surrounded by brine, which helps to maintain its flavour and moisture.
Yes, there are several other brands that produce good feta cheese. This includes Dodoni, Ipeiros, and Whole Foods.
Feta cheese is typically made with sheep's milk, goat's milk, or a combination of the two. In the EU, feta is required to contain at least 70% sheep's milk and up to 30% goat's milk. In the US, feta is usually made with cow's milk.
