The Top 10 Most Popular Types of Cheese

Cheese is a milk-based product and it is the most loved food by the people of all age-groups. From a child to an adult, each one of us love this delicious food.

We all taste it in some form of other whether eating it in raw form or in a dish such as pizzas, pastas, and so on. However, have you ever known that how many different varieties of cheese are available in the world? There are approximately 1777 types of cheese available around the globe.

Amazing, isn’t it?

We must have seen a very few of them though. So, let us deep dive into the journey of different types of cheese.

But, hey hold on. I may not be able to provide you all the list here but I will definitely provide some of the 10 most popular types of cheese available in the world today.

Here is the list of 10 most popular types of cheese available that all the cheese lovers should know:

Feta

Feta cheese is undoubtedly one of the famous Greek cheese that originated in Greece, and is prepared from pasteurized or unpasteurized goat and sheep milk. This type of cheese is a pickled curd cheese and it has a salt and tangy flavor enhanced by the brine solution. Feta cheese is prepared with at least 70% goat’s milk and remainder must be sheep’s milk. It is best used in sandwiches, salads, and it is also used in Tacos and other Mexican delicacies.

Mozzarella

Mozzarella cheese is one of most common types of cheese that refers to a sliceable curd cheese prepared from cow or water buffalo’s milk. This type of cheese, which originated from Italy, is prepared by heating the curds in warm water and then stretched by hand before it is rolled into moist balls. There are different varieties of mozzarella cheese available such as fresh mozzarella cheese, Mozzarella di Bufala, and so on. This type of cheese is usually eaten fresh within few hours after its preparation and an important to make over here is that it is not aged unlike other cheese. Mozzarella cheese is used in variety of recipes, such as pizzas, pastas, salads, and other vegetables.

Parmesan

Parmesan cheese also known as Parmigiano Reggiano is one of the top cheese by most of the cheese lovers. This type of cheese is prepared from the unpasteurized cow’s milk and it originates from Italy. In addition, this type of cheese is hard and have a bitter taste as well as it is fruity and nutty flavor. It is usually best used when grated over salads and also added to add a flavor to Italian soups or risottos.

Gouda

Gouda, which have originated from Netherlands, is prepared from pasteurized cow’s, goat’s, and sheep’s milk. It is also pronounced as “How-da” by most local citizens in Netherlands and is one of the popular cheese used around the globe. This type of cheese is semi-hard that has a unique flavor with a smooth texture.

Cheddar

Cheddar cheese is another common type of cheese that is prepared from pasteurized cow’s milk, and most widely purchased and eaten across the world. This type of cheese originated in Somerset, England. It is a hard and natural cheese that has a slightly crumbly texture if properly cured and if it is too young, the texture is smooth. It is best used in sandwiches and casseroles.

Paneer

Paneer is fresh cheese that is commonly used in South Asian cuisine and that has a mention in the Vedas dating as far back as 6000 BC of the Indian sub-continent. Paneer is type of cheese that is prepared from cow’s or water buffalo’s milk, and it have originated in India and Bangladesh. It has a moist and crumbly texture, and it is also considered as a rich source of proteins. Paneer is used in preparation of various Indian delicacies, such as Rasagulla, Mutter paneer, Sandesh, and so on.

Ricotta

Ricotta is an Italian whey cheese that is prepared from sheep’s (or cow/goats/Italian water buffalo) milk whey that is left over from the production of cheese. Its texture generally depends on the variety of cheese whether fresh or aged. Ricotta cheese is among the favorites in most of the Italian desserts, such as cheesecake and cannoli. This type of cheese is also used as a substitute for mayonnaise in preparation of egg or tuna salad. In addition, Ricotta is also commonly used in most of the spicy dishes, such as pasta, lasagne, and ravioli.

Emmental

This type of Swiss cheese is a traditional form of cheese that is generally produced in the central regions of Switzerland, and it is prepared from the unpasteurized cow’s milk. It is hard cheese with a sweet aroma and a fruity taste. This type of cheese tastes extremely well with a glass of wine. It is also best used in preparation of sauces and grilled sandwiches.

Roquefort

Roquefort is another type of cheese that is most popularly used in France where it is also called the cheese of kings and popes. It is prepared from unpasteurized sheep’s milk, and has a moist, crumbly paste, and a sharp, sweet and nutty flavor. This type of cheese is mostly used in salads and dressings.

Monterey Jack

As the name suggests, this type of cheese originated in the Mexican Franciscan friars of Monterey, California. It was in 1700s when the monasteries around the Monterey were preparing creamy and mild flavored cheese from cow’s milk which they aged for a little period. An American entrepreneur named David Jack realized its commercial value and started selling it all over California, and hence the cheese came to be known as “Monterey Jack’s. This cheese is prepared from pasteurized cow’s milk, and is a semi hard form of cheese. It is typically used in Mexican and Spanish cuisine due to its mild flavor and melts in the mouth.