| Sirene | |
|---|---|
 Sirene cubes | |
| Other names | White cheese |
| Country of origin | The Balkans |
| Source of milk | Milk of goats, sheep, cows, buffalo |
| Pasteurised | Depends on variety |
| Texture | Depends on variety |
| Aging time | min. 3 months |
| Certification | PDO, 2023 |
 Related media on Commons | |
Sirene (Bulgarian: сирене [ˈsirɛnɛ]; Serbian: сир/sir; Macedonian: сирење; Albanian: djathë i bardhë) also known as "white brine sirene" (Bulgarian: бяло саламурено сирене) is a type of brined cheese originating from the Balkans. It is made of the milk of goats, sheep, cows, buffalo or a mixture thereof.[1] It is slightly crumbly, with at least 46–48% of dry matter containing 44–48% of fat.[2] It is commonly produced in blocks, and has a slightly grainy texture. It is used as a table cheese, in salads, and in baking.
In 2023, the name "Bulgarsko byalo salamureno sirene" was registered as a Protected Designation of Origin in the European Union.[3]
Recipes
Traditional dishes using sirene are:
Soups: Potato or vegetable soup with sirene (сиренява чорба).
Salads: Shopska salad with tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, onions and sirene. Ovcharska salad ("shepherd's salad") with the above-mentioned vegetables, cheese, ham, boiled eggs and olives. Tomatoes with sirene is a traditional light salad during the summer.
Eggs: Fried eggs and omelettes with sirene. There is also a popular kind of boiled eggs over mashed sirene with a sauce of yogurt, garlic, parsley and walnuts (яйца по панагюрски; eggs à la Panagyurishte).
Pasta and cornmeal: For breakfast, macaroni or flat noodles (Bulgarian: "юфка, yufka") with sirene and sugar are popular. Kachamak (the local variant of cornmeal, polenta or the Romanian mămăligă) is always eaten with sirene.
Pastry: The traditional banitsa and other kinds of pastry are also made with sirene.
Stuffed peppers are more often stuffed with rice, but are also made with sirene-and-eggs filling.
Also it is consumed as an appetizer.
Similar cheeses in other countries
Many Balkan and other cheeses are similar to (but not the same as) sirene, and are known by various names. The local consumers of each country are usually well aware of the differences between the various white cheeses. Part of the differences are that the breeds of sheep and goats in each region are different, and their feed may have specific regional characteristics that affect the taste and texture of cheese made from their milk.
- Albania: djathë i bardhë - 'white cheese'
- Czech Republic: Balkánský sýr - 'Balkan cheese'
- Greece: Feta - Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)
- Iran: Lighvan or Tabrizi paneer - 'Cheese of Lighvan or Tabriz'
- Israel: Bulgarit (בולגרית) - 'Bulgarian (cheese)'
- Lebanon: Bulghari (بلغاري) - 'Bulgarian (cheese)'
- Mexico: Cotija cheese
- Romania: Telemea
- Russia: Bryndza (Брынза)
- Turkey: Beyaz peynir - 'white cheese'
- Ukraine: Bryndza (бринза)
See also
References
- ↑ , "Characteristics of major traditional regional cheese varieties of East-Mediterranean countries: a review", Efstathios Alichanidis & Anna Polychroniadou, Dairy Sciеnce & Technology, Volume 88, Number 4–5, July–October 2008
- ↑ "The Bulgarian Institute for Standardization BDS 15:2010". The Bulgarian Institute for Standardization (BDS).
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|url=(help) - ↑ "eAmbrosia". European Commission. 2023-07-31. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
