Feta Cheese - History, Facts and Cooking Tips from Old World Market

Immediately associated with a fresh Greek salad, the salty and soft feta cheese provides a creamy counterpart to the crunchy vegetables and olives. Because it’s cut into blocks and packaged in a salty whey brine, feta is often referred to as a ‘pickled cheese’. Available worldwide, it is a common addition to salads and baked dishes and is characterized by a rich, tangy flavor.
History of Feta Cheese
With several mentions in Homer’s Odyssey, it's obvious that the cheese has been a Greek staple for centuries. Greek mythology cites the Cyclops Polyphemus as the original feta cheese creator while other stories credit Apollo and Cyrene’s son, Aristaeus as its founder.
However, the word ‘feta’ is believed to have Italian roots and is derived from the Italian word ‘fetta’ meaning ‘slice’. Aside from the liberal use of olive oil in Greek and Mediterranean cooking, feta cheese is another indispensable ingredient.
Cooking with Feta Cheese
One of the main components of the spinach and filo pies like spanakopita,tiropita ,bureks and banitsa , feta is also eaten as part of a mezze platter and is added to dishes with fish and meat as well. Although the cheese doesn’t melt easy, it can be used to add texture to baked pasta dishes and pizza, mixed with pesto to make a stuffing for chicken breasts or crumbled over a baked potato with a sprinkling of oregano.
If the salt level of the cheese is a concern, steep it in milk or water for an hour to reduce the saltiness before using. For recopies with feta cheese please click here.
Storing Feta Cheese
Once removed from its brine bath, feta cheese deteriorates fairly quickly. Make sure to always keep it tightly covered and refrigerated and consume it while still fresh. Stored properly in its brine, the cheese can last for up to 3-5months.
Marinated feta is stored in olive oil – sometimes along with herbs and spices - and makes a great addition to salads and sandwiches. Sit the cheese at room temperature for at least half an hour so that you can fully appreciate the flavor. It is advisable not to freeze feta as it alters the taste of the cheese.
At your favorite Old World Market we carry a great variety Feta cheeses from around the world.
From the Traditional Greek Dodoni Feta and Feta from Metsovo region in Greece to Bulgarian sheep’s and cow’s milk feta from Trojan region, Romanian Old county style feta, Creamy German and Danish style cow’s milk feta, French Sheep’s milk feta-Valbresso, Greek ,Turkish and domestic Goat’s milk Feta, Serbian style soft cream feta from Sabac region, Icim Turkish sheep’s milk feta and more to come .So stop by and see for yourself.
We promise that we will not stop looking and find for you the best quality products from around the world and make Old World Market your favorite place to shop in beautiful Naples-Florida.
For better Naples please support your local businesses- Shop, Eat, Stay and Play Local.

Old World Market