Cheese | Peynir
Cheese production predates recorded history. It is believed that cheese first appeared between 8000 and 7000 BC (concurrent with the domestication of livestock). Although there is no conclusive indication to where cheese-making originated, archeological evidence suggests that it first appeared in the fertile Mesopotamian Plains between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. There are two general theories about how the first cheese was created. The first theory is that cheese was created by nomadic merchants who transported milk in pouches made from the stomach lining sheep and goats. Combined with the rennet in the lining of the pouch and heat of the sun, the milk to separated into curd and whey. Similarly, the second theory suggests that milk (set out as an offering to the Gods) curdled and became a soft cheese. In either case, the first pictorial evidence of cheese-making (dating back to 3000 BC) was found on a frieze at the Mesopotamian Temple of Ninhursag.
At the pinnacle of the Roman Empire, the craft of cheese-making was refined to create longer lasting more flavorful cheeses. Cheese held a celebrated status in Roman culture. In the Odyssey, written near the end of the 8th century BC, Homer describes the one-eyed giant, Cyclops, peacefully tending to his cheesemaking. Through Roman conquest and trade, cheese spread to the furthest reaches of the kingdom. By the Middle Ages (500 AD to 1500 AD), cheese and cheese making had reached Europe. In fact, many cheeses which are well-known today were first produced during Middle Ages. Examples include Gorgonzola (879 AD) and Cheddar (1500 AD). By the 10th century the craft had spread throughout continent and new varieties of cheese began to emerge including Parmigiano-Reggiano (1597 AD), Gouda (1697 AD) and Camembert (1791 AD).
Today, there are hundreds of varieties of cheese available in Turkey. Cheese is made in every region and local varieties often include the name of the area in which they are produced. As examples, ‘Izmir Tulum’ is produced in Izmir and ‘Van Otlu Peynir’ is from Van. Furthermore, 60% of the annual milk supply in the country is used to produce these regional cheeses. Approximately, 10% of the cheese is made from sheep and goat milk. The balance is made from cow milk. Common varieties of cheese include Beyaz, Burgu, Dil, Hellumi, Kaşar, Tulum, Lor and Örgü Peynir.
Turkish Cuisine
Dairy
Cheese
Kaşar And Beyaz Peynir