Israeli feta cheese or (Hebrew: גבינת ראש הנקרה) (gvinat Israelit) in Hebrew, also known as Israeli-style feta cheese or simply Israeli cheese, is a type of white cheese made from sheep's milk, cow's milk, or a combination of both. It is similar to Greek feta cheese but has a milder flavor and a creamier texture. ^[1][2]

History

Israeli feta cheese has a relatively short history, dating back only to the late 19th century when Jewish immigrants from Greece and the Balkans made aliyah and brought their cheese-making traditions to Israel, they adapted their recipes to suit local ingredients and tastes, giving rise to the Israeli-style feta cheese produced today. Feta cheese itself can be traced back to Ancient Greece. Israeli feta became popular among local Jewish and Arab communities.^[3][4]

Israeli feta cheese became a staple food in Israel, where it is commonly used in salads, sandwiches, and pastries. Its mild, creamy flavor and crumbly texture make it a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes.

Production

Today, Israeli feta cheese is produced by Israeli dairy companies including Tnuva, Strauss, and Shamir Salads. The production process typically involves pasteurizing the milk, adding rennet and starter cultures, and letting the mixture curdle for several hours. The curds are then cut into small pieces and drained, forming the base of the cheese. The cheese is then salted and stored in a brine solution for several days or weeks to mature.

Israeli feta cheese can be made from 100% sheep's milk or a combination of sheep's and cow's milk, depending on the producer. Some Israeli feta cheeses are also made with goat's milk, which gives the cheese a slightly tangy flavor.

Uses

Israeli feta cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is commonly used in Israeli cuisine, where it is often crumbled over salads, mixed with vegetables, or used as a filling for pastries such as bourekas, ziva or börek.^[5][6][7]

Israeli feta cheese is also used in various international dishes, including pizza, sandwiches, and pasta. It can be melted or grilled and used as a topping for burgers, or sliced and added to sandwiches and wraps.

In addition, Israeli feta cheese can be used in desserts. It is often paired with sweet ingredients such as honey, fruit, or chocolate, and used in dishes such as cheesecake, tarts, or ice cream.

Varieties

There are several varieties of Israeli feta cheese, each with its own unique flavor and texture. Some of the most popular varieties include:

• Soft Israeli feta cheese: This type of feta cheese has a creamy texture and mild, slightly tangy flavor. It is often used as a spread for bread or crackers.
• Aged Israeli feta cheese: This feta cheese is matured for several months in a brine solution, which gives it a stronger, more tangy flavor. It is often used in salads or as a topping for pizza.
• Israeli sheep's milk feta cheese: This type of feta cheese is made exclusively from sheep's milk, giving it a slightly sweeter and more intense flavor than other varieties.
• Israeli cow's milk feta cheese: This feta cheese is made exclusively from cow's milk, giving it a milder, creamier flavor than other varieties. ^[8]

Export

It is sold at the grocery store chain Trader Joe's in the United States.^[9]

In popular culture

Israeli feta cheese has become a common ingredient in Israeli cuisine, and as such, it is often referenced in Israeli TV shows, movies, and popular culture. Here are a few examples:

• "MasterChef Israel" is a popular Israeli cooking competition show where contestants are often tasked with creating dishes that feature Israeli feta cheese as a main ingredient.
• In the Israeli film "The Wedding Plan," the main character Michal serves her fiancé feta cheese stuffed olives as an appetizer.
• Israeli author Yotam Ottolenghi is known for using Israeli feta cheese in many of his popular cookbooks, including "Jerusalem: A Cookbook" and "Plenty: Vibrant Vegetable Recipes from London's Ottolenghi."
• Israeli chef Erez Komarovsky, who is famous for his bread-making skills, often incorporates Israeli feta cheese into his savory bread recipes.
• In the popular Israeli TV show "Fauda" the character of Abu Ahmed is shown eating a meal that includes feta cheese, pita bread, and olives.
• In the Israeli film "The Syrian Bride," a character is shown making a salad with feta cheese and olives.
• Israeli musician Idan Raichel has referenced Israeli feta cheese in his song "Mima'amakim" (From the Depths), where he sings about the joys of simple, traditional Israeli foods like hummus and feta cheese.
• In the Israeli TV show "Street Food Around the World," Israeli feta cheese is featured in an episode that explores Israeli street food.
• Israeli chef Yotam Ottolenghi has written about Israeli feta cheese in several articles and interviews, including an article in The Guardian where he discusses the importance of using high-quality feta cheese in cooking.
• In the Israeli TV show "The Next Star," contestants were tasked with creating a dish that featured Israeli feta cheese as a main ingredient.
• In the Israeli film "A Borrowed Identity" the main character's mother is shown preparing a dish with Israeli feta cheese.
• Israeli food blogger Hadas Aharon has written extensively about Israeli feta cheese on her blog "In My Bowl," where she shares recipes and tips for using the cheese in cooking.
• In the Israeli TV show "MasterChef Celebrity," contestants were challenged to create a dish that featured Israeli feta cheese as the star ingredient.
• In the Israeli film "The Cakemaker" Israeli feta cheese is featured in a dish that the main character prepares for her German lover.
• In the Israeli TV show "Eretz Nehederet" a satirical news program, a sketch featured a fake advertisement for a brand of Israeli feta cheese called "Mona" that pokes fun at the popularity of the cheese in Israel.
• Israeli actress and TV host Rotem Sela has posted photos of herself enjoying feta cheese on social media, sparking a conversation among fans about their own love for the cheese.
• In the Israeli TV show "Chef Games," contestants were challenged to create a dish that featured Israeli feta cheese as a key ingredient.
• In the Israeli film "The Bubble," a character is shown eating a salad with Israeli feta cheese.
• Israeli chef Eyal Shani is known for his creative use of Israeli feta cheese in his restaurants, including his signature dish of roasted eggplant with Israeli feta cheese and tahini sauce.
• In the Israeli TV show "Food for Thought," Israeli feta cheese is featured in a segment that explores the history and cultural significance of the cheese.
• Israeli food writer Janna Gur has written about Israeli feta cheese in several articles and books, including "The Book of New Israeli Food" and "Jewish Soul Food," where she explores the role of the cheese in Israeli cuisine and culture.
• In the Israeli TV show "Rising Star," a singing competition, one of the judges comments on the unique flavor of Israeli feta cheese while discussing a contestant's dish.
• Israeli singer Idan Raichel has mentioned his love for Israeli feta cheese in interviews, and even created a playlist on Spotify called "Israeli Feta Cheese" that features Israeli artists and songs.
• In the Israeli film "The Band's Visit" Israeli feta cheese is featured in a scene where the main character shares a meal with an Arab family.
• Israeli food writer Gil Hovav has written about the history and cultural significance of Israeli feta cheese in his book "Confessions of a Kitchen Rebbetzin."
• In the Israeli TV show "MasterChef Israel" contestants were challenged to create a dish that featured Israeli feta cheese and other traditional Israeli ingredients.
• Israeli chef Shaul Ben Aderet has created several dishes featuring Israeli feta cheese at his restaurant "Blue Sky," including a dish of roasted cauliflower with Israeli feta cheese and za'atar seasoning.
• In the Israeli film "The Farewell Party," a character is shown serving a salad with Israeli feta cheese to guests at a funeral.

See also

• Feta
• Shifra cheese
• Galil cheese
• Gilboa cheese

References