Feta Cheese

The story of cheese dates back thousands of years, intertwined with humanity's earliest animal husbandry. The discovery of the world's first cheese block happened by chance during a journey of a nomadic Bedouin tribe in the desert. An Arab man carried milk in a goat's stomach as a container on the back of his camel, then traveled across the desert.

During the journey, the goat's stomach was heated by the desert air and shaken throughout the ride. This caused the enzymes in the goat's stomach to separate the water and fat in the milk, causing the milk to curdle and taste sour, leading to the discovery of the world's first cheese. Today, Rimping Supermarket takes you on a deep dive into the history of this classic Greek cheese.

Origins in Ancient Greece: From Gods to the Prototype of Feta (Ancient Greek Era)

The arrival of cheese in ancient Greek civilization is legendary, believed to be brought by the Greek god Aristaios, son of Apollo, who taught the Greeks the art of cheesemaking. The first cheese produced by the Greeks was made from sheep's or goat's milk, said to be the early prototype of Feta Cheese.

The word Feta only appeared in Greek culture in the 17th century. Before that, Feta was simply called Cheese. The word Feta means slice, likely derived from the practice of slicing the cheese into pieces and storing them in barrels of brine to extend their shelf life, a Greek tradition that continues to this day.

At the Delphi Museum, a 6th-century sculpture depicts traditional cheesemaking methods, which bear a strong resemblance to modern Feta Cheese production, differing only in automation and packaging.

Feta Cheese held significant cultural importance in ancient Greece, as Greeks often used it in religious ceremonies, offering it as a sacrifice to the gods as a symbol of abundance and prosperity.

Unique Characteristics and Global Spread (Early 20th Century)

Feta Cheese resembles Chinese white tofu and is classified as a Soft cheese. It possesses a unique characteristic: a distinct aroma of spices or hints of white wine, which naturally comes from the plants or leaves that sheep or goats consume. Greeks commonly enjoy it in various ways, such as in salads or paired with pickled olives, fresh tomatoes, watermelon, and flatbread.

In the early 20th century, a large number of Greeks began to emigrate to various countries, including Australia, Turkey, Bulgaria, Italy, the United States, Canada, and Germany. They brought their cheesemaking methods with them, leading to Feta Cheese becoming known in different parts of the world.

PDO Status and Health Benefits (2002 AD - Present)

To control its quality and origin in Greece, in 2002 AD, Feta Cheese received protection from the European Union by being granted PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) status. This designation stipulates that to use the name Feta, the cheese must be produced only in the regions of Macedonia, Thrace, Epirus, Thessaly, and Sterea Ellada in Greece.

In addition to its cultural and culinary significance, Feta Cheese offers various health benefits. It is rich in calcium, protein, and contains probiotics, which are beneficial nutrients for gut health.