Mizithra

Mizithra or myzithra is a fresh cheese made with milk and whey from either sheep or goats, or both (Barron, 1991). It is similar to Feta cheese in flavour and texture.  Production resembles that of Italian ricotta, though mizithra is typically drier. Mizithra can be salt-dried to produce a mature salty cheese.

It is primarily produced on the island of Crete but is widespread throughout Greece. It is essentially the same as Anthotyros though the latter may contain some cow’s milk. In Cyprus a similar cheese is known as “Anari” (Αναρή in Greek, Nor in Cypriot Turkish, Lor in Turkish).

Composition

The fat and protein contents are about 15%. The Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content is relatively high and in keeping with most Greek cheeses derived from sheep and goat’s milk (Zlatanos et al., 2002).

Manufacture Of Mizithra

Mizithra is made from raw, whole ewe’s or goat’s milk in a straightforward and simple manner. In processing, the ratio of milk to whey is usually about 7 to 3.

The milk is brought to a slow boil for a few minutes and then curdled by adding rennet or whey from a previous batch. Similarly an acidic food ingredient such as lemon juice, vinegar or even a fresh broken fig tree sprig can be added to induce curdling. As soon as the curds have formed they are poured into a cheesecloth bag and hung to drain. The whey dripping out of the bag can be used to curdle the next batch of mizithra. After a few days mizithra forms a sweet, moist, soft mass molded in the shape of the hanging bag with a rounded bottom and a conical, wrinkly top. At this stage it is called “sweet” or “fresh mizithra” and may be eaten or, often, baked in pies.

Xynomizithra (sour mizithra) has a more acidic, sour flavor. It is produced by rubbing fresh mizithra with coarse salt and letting it age, usually hung in cloth bags.

The longer it ages the denser, saltier and sourer it becomes. It can ultimately turn into a very dense, hard, white cheese suitable for fine grating. Hard or dried mizithra is also called anthotyro xero.

Serving

The cheese is soft, snow-white, creamy, and moist. Since no salt is added to mizithra it has an almost sweet and milky taste. It is eaten as dessert with honey or as mezes with olives and tomato. It is used as a table cheese, as well as in salads, pastries and in baking, notably in little cheese pies (handful size) and Sfakiani pita (pie from the Sfakia region).

In its salted, aged form it is considered the grating cheese par excellence of Greek cuisine, and is especially suited for sprinkling over hot pasta.

References

Barron, Rosemary (1991). Flavors of Greece. William Morrow, ISBN 978-0-688-07087-8