What are the different types of cheese and the right way to use them

Cheese is one of those dairy products that most of us love and it is something which can change the taste of the dish completely. It plays key role in several cuisines of the world and is loved by most of the people. Aromatic and delicious, cheese is one of those ingredients that can change any dish into a heavenly treat with its goodness. Be it pasta, sandwich, pizza, or even a cracker, you can club it with anything and enjoy its flavours. The very thought of cheesy dishes brings water to your mouth and can make you salivate. Now, while we are talking about cheese, there are several types of cheese found across the world, and they are all unique in their own ways! Each cheese has a different yet peculiar taste and a different use. If you are also a cheese lover, here is a list of all such types of cheese and their uses.

It is one of the common types of cheese that you use in your daily life and has its origin in India. Made from full cream milk by curdling it and then draining the water completely, it’s rich in nutrition, and is very delicate and soft, which you can digest easily. It has a mildly sweet flavour and can be used to make a lot of Indian dishes such as Palak Paneer, Shahi Paneer,Paneer Tikka, and Salads, much more.

Be it a pizza or pasta, it is one of the most common and popular of cheese across the world. It originated in Southern Italy and is traditionally made from buffalo milk, however, these days mozzarella is also made from cow and sheep milk. It has a mild flavour with a soft & chewy texture and is used to prepare lots of baking dishes like Lasagna and Pizza. When used in the fresh form, you can use mozzarella cheese for sandwiches and even some salads.

It’s a popular choice for many while preparing salads, as it is a bit tangy and salty in nature and goes well with all the ingredients. Prepared from goat or sheep milk, feta cheese has Greek origins and is a bit creamy in texture. Feta cheese tastes best when it’s served with roasted peppers, olives and nuts. Also, as compared with other types of cheese, it’s highly nutritious and is best enjoyed when grilled.

Rich in protein content, cheddar cheese is also known as a highly nutritious cheese type while being rich in calories as well and so, you must think twice before binging on it. It has its origin in England and is named after a village called Cheddar. With a little creamy flavour, cheddar cheese has a smooth texture and is aged for a better taste. As it ages, the taste of this cheese sharpens and becomes powerful and tangy. This cheese can be used in making grilled appetizers and main dishes like Cheese Toasts, Cheese Cauliflower Pasta and Cheese and Garlic Chicken.

Another popular variant, Parmesan cheese or ideally Parmigiano Reggiano comes from Northern Italy. It is also aged from a minimum time period of 12 months to 36 months and has a hard & granular texture. It has a protected designation of origin POD status, which restricts the manufacturing of this cheese anywhere else. Prepared from cow milk, it has a strong and robust flavour that can be added into baked dishes like macaroni, pasta, soups and even salads. Some of the dishes you can prepare are: Parmesan Chicken, Parmesan Rosemary Fries, and Garlic Parmesan Roasted Broccoli.

Most people cannot pronounce this cheese and it is often paired with wine or casserole dishes. It is pronounced as ‘How-da’ and is named after the Gouda city in the Netherlands. Made from cow’s milk, Gouda cheese has a creamy-rich flavour when it’s not aged. As it ages, the quality and taste of Gouda cheese increases. This cheese is often aged for a minimum of 4 weeks and a maximum of 36 weeks. With this cheese, you can prepare grilled cheese sandwiches, macaroni, salads and soups.