A curd cheese made from sheep's milk called feta is brined. Feta is originally from Greece and means "slice" in Greek. It is packaged and marketed in blocks. Another ingredient in the crumbly, vividly coloured cheese is a blend of sheep and goat milk. Feta has Greek roots that date back to the eighth century B.C. The process of making cheese from goat's milk is extensively discussed in the part of Polyphemus' cave in Homer's Odyssey. Greek villages had a long-standing custom of making cheese from goat's milk using various methods and equipment. Following tradition and direction, feta can only be made in Europe from whole sheep's milk or from a combination of sheep, goat, and occasionally cow's milk.
Feta cheese/ unsplash.com
Compared to its competitors made entirely of cow's milk, feta is frequently marketed as a healthier cheese. Most producers today use pasteurised milk, which has a little acidic and salty flavour. The gritty, aged cheese is commonly used as a garnish on meat and vegetable dishes and in salads, pastries, omelettes, and sandwiches.
Easy to digest
According to consultant nutritionist Dr Rupali Dutta, feta is significantly easier to digest, less allergenic, and more anti-inflammatory than other dairy products, making it beneficial for those with mild dairy allergies.
Lower fat content
Replace the Parmesan and Cheddar with Feta cheese. Compared to many other cheese forms, feta cheese has fewer calories and fat than others. According to the USDA, feta cheese contains 21 grammes of fat per 100 grammes. Parmesan includes 29 grammes of total lipids, most of them saturated, compared to 33 grammes in cheddar.
Rich source of protein
Feta can be a rich source of protein in addition to healthy fats and calcium. "Feta is a good source of protein Histidine, which is incredibly beneficial for muscles," claims Dr Rupali.
Rich in vitamins
Feta may be a good choice if you want to supplement your diet with vitamins from foods other than fruits. Feta is abundant in phosphorus, vitamin B6, and vitamin A.
Benefits of feta for gut health
Feta includes many beneficial probiotics for overall health. A few essential ones are Lactobacillus casei, lactobacillus paracasei, lactobacillus plantarum, lactobacillus rhamnosus, lactobacillus coryniformis, lactobacillus curvatus, Lactobacillus Brevis, and others.
Healthy source of calcium
According to Shilpa Arora, a health professional and macrobiotic nutritionist, feta is made from goat milk and is one of the healthiest sources of calcium and potassium. Feta, like all dairy products, can considerably improve bone.
