Availability and types of sheep's cheese
Sheep's cheese is a cheese made from sheep's milk. You can find it in many countries around the world, but it is particularly known from regions where sheep are traditionally kept. This is because sheep thrive there and find enough grass and herbs to stay healthy — and to give good milk. A simple image: where sheep have plenty of space and good forage, the chances increase that delicious sheep's cheese will be produced.
Origin and production areas
Sheep's cheese often comes from countries around the Mediterranean such as Greece, Italy, Spain and Turkey. These countries have warm summers, hilly landscapes and plenty of pasture that sheep enjoy. But sheep's cheese is also produced in other parts of Europe, for example in France, Portugal or the British Isles, as well as in New Zealand and Australia. Each place has its own way of making sheep's cheese, and this creates different flavors — similar to how musical styles sound different in different regions.
Sheep's cheese often comes from countries around the Mediterranean such as Greece, Italy, Spain and Turkey. These countries have warm summers, hilly landscapes and plenty of pasture that sheep enjoy. But sheep's cheese is also produced in other parts of Europe, for example in France, Portugal or the British Isles, as well as in New Zealand and Australia. Each place has its own way of making sheep's cheese, and this creates different flavors — similar to how musical styles sound different in different regions.
Available types and variants
There are many types of sheep's cheese. Here are the main ones, simply explained:
There are many types of sheep's cheese. Here are the main ones, simply explained:
- Feta: A very well-known sheep's cheese from Greece. It is often soft to crumbly and kept in brine (that is salty water). Feta has a piquant, slightly salty taste and is frequently used in salads. You can also add it in small cubes to tomatoes and cucumbers.
- Pecorino: An Italian sheep's cheese. The name comes from the Italian word for sheep, “pecora”. Pecorino can be young and soft or older and hard. The hard variety is often grated over pasta, like Parmesan, and has a strong, savory flavor.
- Manchego: A Spanish sheep's cheese from the La Mancha region. It usually has a firm texture and can taste mild to piquant, depending on how long it has been aged. Manchego pairs well with bread and grapes.
- Fresh sheep's cheese: This is a soft, mild cheese that has not been aged long. It tastes mild and creamy and is well suited for spreads or as an ingredient in dishes.
- Smoked sheep's cheese: Some cheeses are lightly smoked, meaning smoke is added during processing. This gives the cheese a distinctive aroma reminiscent of a campfire or smoked foods.
- Seasoned variants: Some sheep's cheeses are mixed with herbs, oil, pepper or paprika. This changes the flavor and makes the cheese more interesting — similar to a bread sprinkled with seeds.
How to find sheep's cheese in the shop?
In the supermarket sheep's cheese is often located in the refrigerated section with the other cheeses. Sometimes it is packaged in brine (as with feta), sometimes vacuum-packed or in a plastic container. At markets or in small cheese shops there is often more choice and you can sample different varieties. If you want to know whether the cheese is really made from sheep's milk, you can check the label — it usually states “sheep's milk” or the origin of the cheese.
In the supermarket sheep's cheese is often located in the refrigerated section with the other cheeses. Sometimes it is packaged in brine (as with feta), sometimes vacuum-packed or in a plastic container. At markets or in small cheese shops there is often more choice and you can sample different varieties. If you want to know whether the cheese is really made from sheep's milk, you can check the label — it usually states “sheep's milk” or the origin of the cheese.
In summary: sheep's cheese is popular in many countries and comes in many variants — from mild and creamy to hard and savory. Depending on where it was produced and how long it has been aged, taste and texture change. This way sheep's cheese offers something suitable for almost every favorite taste.
