“Milk’s leap toward immortality” is a label many cheese connoisseurs and foodies would use on cheese. Like wine from fermented grapes, the product of fermented milk and its incredible variety has much loved the world over. One such type of cheese is cottage cheese that is under the category of fresh cheeses.
Often, it’s the most popular things that cause great divides between people. Cottage cheese is no exception. Many people swear by the richness, versatility, and health benefits of this fresh white cheese. Meanwhile, it completely repulses others.
So, what does cottage cheese taste like and what makes it such a polarizing food? Read on!
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Enter Europe’s Cottages
Cottage cheese most likely originates from the households or cottages in Europe and Scandinavia with the leftover milk that people used for preparing the butter.
Unlike mature, aged, or hard cheeses, cottage cheese is a somewhat “young cheese” very similar to ricotta. It’s a simple soft cheese made of curds, whey, and depending on its production, and source, it may also contain cream, salt, as well as herbs.
Typically, farmers and households would make smierkase (another name for cottage cheese) by adding an enzyme, most commonly rennet, to heated milk. Next, they let the milk rest until it curdles, or forms curds and releases whey. Afterward, cooks may choose to cut up the curds into smaller pieces and then they would put the dairy back on the heat.
They would then drain – not press or squeeze – the curds to remove some of the whey. At this point, cottage cheese producers may amend the cheese with cream for a richer taste and some salt.
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So What Does It Taste Like?
Cottage cheese is a mild tasting cheese with a creamy, and, milky taste. Also, it may have a faint hint of tangy or sour taste due to the whey. Then, depending on how manufacturers process or amend the cheese, it may be a little salty.
As a fresh cheese, cottage cheese still shares a lot of similarities with milk, and differences mostly lie with the type of milk that you have used. For example, full-fat milk will be richer with a creamier taste, while skim milk or low-fat milk will have thinner, more watery flavor.
You might wonder though, why would a mild and creamy cheese create such a dichotomy of opinion in people?
The most likely culprit of this difference of views is cottage cheese’s unique texture and appearance. This soft white cheese has a watery, lumpy, and jelly-like texture that puts off a lot of people. In addition, those who are not familiar with cottage cheese often associate its distinct texture and looks to milk that has gone bad, or even worse, it may remind them of vomit.
Cottage cheese’s mild flavor may even exacerbate people’s abhorrence to the cheese since it just feels like clumps of wet jelly. These same people may also carry similar feelings with tapioca, food that resembles that texture of cottage cheese. Probably, if you ask someone who enjoys eating cottage cheese how exactly does this fresh cheese taste, they would describe it as moist, crumbled, tapioca.
The Benefits Of Cottage Cheese
So, you either love cottage cheese, or it completely repulses you. Hate it or love it, cottage cheese brings numerous health benefits especially those on strict diet regimens.
Let me list just some of the benefits of smierkase:
As one would expect of the wonders that come from dairy, cottage cheese is jam-packed with nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and more that keep the body in tip-top shape.
● Great For Weight Loss And Weight Control
Protein in cottage cheese composes over 70% of its calories with relative low carbohydrate levels all contained in a small calorie food. Additionally, experts find that high levels of protein help satiate you which means you’ll end up eating less!
● Builds And Strengthens Bones
Cottage cheese contains high levels of calcium which promotes bone health, growth, and repair.
● Increases Antioxidant Protection
Also, a cup of cottage cheese contains 30 percent of the Recommended Daily Intake for selenium.
This trace element is markedly essential in the human body as it has vital roles in antioxidant protection, reproduction, DNA production, and more!
● Versatile Ingredient
Many people eat cottage cheese on its own. However, many more people love cottage cheese for its incredible versatility when it comes to food pairing! You can prepare it like yogurt and mix it with your favorite fruits and cereals. Or, you can treat it like dip and enjoy your favorite biscuits, or vegetables in its creamy taste.
Moreover, you may use cottage cheese a substitute for milk in pancake or waffle recipes (see Cuisine Bank for some great ideas). Also, you can use as a spread on various types of bread and toast!
Making Friends With The Lumpy Cheese
Whether you would like to widen your taste palette and spectrum of flavors or improve your diet and health, we see that regular consumption of cottage cheese can be incredibly beneficial. Although, consuming this cheese may be quite easy to those who already enjoy it. However, what about those who do not have a natural liking towards cottage cheese?
If you’re determined to add cottage cheese to your diet, why not include it in the food that you usually eat every day?
You could:
● Add cottage cheese to your salads
● Use it as a creamy substitute for ricotta cheese or sour cream!
● Make fluffier scrambled eggs by adding cottage cheese
● Use cottage cheese to bake your favorite cakes and pastries!
● Make thick, protein-rich, shakes and smoothies
The options for cottage cheese are endless! You just have to be creative and give this nutrition powerhouse a chance! Soon, you might be spreading it on just about everything!
Conclusion
Cottage cheese is a fresh, unripened cheese carrying mild flavors that are very reminiscent of milk and cream with a faint tangy or sour taste. Despite its distinct texture, cottage cheese is amazingly nutritious and ideal for those who want to improve and supplement their diets!
Lastly, cottage cheeses’ versatile make them very easy to love and pair with everyday dishes that you already enjoy!
Sources:
http://www.foodsubs.com/Chefresh.html
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=cottage&searchmode=none
http://www.cheesemaking.com/learn/faq/rennet.html
https://authoritynutrition.com/cottage-cheese-is-super-healthy/
https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/15
https://authoritynutrition.com/20-delicious-high-protein-foods/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2698273/
http://www.milkingredients.ca/index-eng.php?id=175
