ana Halloumi is a cheese from Cyprus, consumed mainly in cooked form, characterized by a unique taste and consistency. Spicy and pleasantly aromatic, it has great versatility in the kitchen. Want to learn more?
What is Halloumi?
Halloumi is a cheese typical of the eastern Mediterranean. White and semi-hard, and without a rind, it looks like mozzarella, but is much more compact and tasty. Its main feature is that it is resistant to high temperatures due to the absence of lactic acid bacteria and the cooking of the curd during its production. In other words, Halloumi cheese does not melt under the influence of heat, so although it is very tasty even raw, it is an ideal cheese for slicing, grilling or frying.
Where does Halloumi come from?
DOP ( Denominazione di Origine Protetta, i.e. Protected Designation of Origin ) from 2021.
Halloumi is one of the most typical products of the island of Cyprus. But we are talking about a delicacy that has a very ancient origin: the history of cheese may actually date back to ancient Egypt and spread through a dense network of land and sea exchanges to neighboring countries. It is the hero of Greek, Turkish and Arabic cuisine , and has been slowly conquering gourmets across Europe, including Poland, for years.
What does Halloumi cheese taste like?
Cheeses traditionally made from sheep’s and goat’s milk, today Halloumi cheese is also made from cow’s milk, or even by mixing all three. During production, it is flavored with salt and mint leaves , so when prepared it is spicy and pleasantly aromatic: intense and full of flavor that pleases the palate.
Raw is fresh and compact; however, after baking it becomes crispy on the outside and slightly chewy on the inside. Due to the strange sound it makes when bitten, in Germany it is called “squeaky cheese”!
How to eat Halloumi?
In Cyprus it is eaten in many ways and at various times, but it is especially not to be missed at breakfast, usually grilled and served with a slice of fresh watermelon or a fried egg. Always grilled or fried, served for lunch in taverns with a large portion of fries. Raw, it can be crumbled and used to flavor an omelet, or as a filling for ravioli, or to counteract the sweetness of dates.
In Greece, however, it is part of the so-called meze , typical appetizers of the Greek tradition, including olives, sauces, sausages and vine leaf dishes.
Often called a “vegetarian steak”, it can be eaten sliced with mixed vegetables (zucchini, peppers, eggplant) or used instead of a hamburger on a sandwich. Cut into small pieces, it can enrich chicken and vegetable skewers; cut into smaller cubes, baked or raw, ideal for seasoning salads with tomatoes, cucumbers and olives. Halloumi cut into larger pieces in strips, breaded, fried and seasoned with honey sauce , is a real pleasure for the palate!
What are the nutritional properties?
Halloumi is rich in calcium and protein, and is also a valuable source of vitamin D. However, it is still a cheese; therefore, it should be taken into account that it is fatty and this element may increase, and it depends on the form of preparation. In addition, it is particularly salty.
Halloumi may not be recommended as an everyday food, but it remains healthy and tasty, so just enjoy life and taste it!
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