Xynomizithra or xynomyzithra () is a Greek whey cheese with some added milk; it is a sour variant of Mizithra, and made from ewes' and/or

goat The goat or domestic goat (''Capra hircus'') is a species of Caprinae, goat-antelope that is mostly kept as livestock. It was domesticated from the wild goat (''C. aegagrus'') of Southwest Asia and Eastern Europe. The goat is a member of the ...

s' milk. The proportion of full-cream milk is about 15%. It is mainly produced on the island of

Crete Crete ( ; , Modern Greek, Modern: , Ancient Greek, Ancient: ) is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the List of islands by area, 88th largest island in the world and the List of islands in the Mediterranean#By area, fifth la ...

but other areas in Greece also produce it. ''Xynomyzithra Kritis'' (xynomizithra of Crete) is a European

protected designation of origin The protected designation of origin (PDO) is a type of geographical indication of the European Union aimed at preserving the designations of origin of food-related products. The designation was created in 1992 and its main purpose is to designat ...

.Application for Registration for Xynomyzithra Kritis Cheese PDO
/ref>

Production

Xynomizithra is made from strained ewe and/or goat whey which is heated and stirred. A small amount of full-cream milk (up to 15% for Xynomyzithra Kritis) is then added. The resulting curd stands for 30 minutes and is then put into molds to drain. It is then pressed and ripened for not less than 2 months.

Serving

It comes in various sizes and its shape is usually truncated cone or ball. The cheese is soft, snow-white, creamy, and moist, with a sour taste. It is commonly served with

honey Honey is a sweet and viscous substance made by several species of bees, the best-known of which are honey bees. Honey is made and stored to nourish bee colonies. Bees produce honey by gathering and then refining the sugary secretions of pl ...

as a

dessert Dessert is a course (food), course that concludes a meal; the course consists of sweet foods, such as cake, biscuit, ice cream, and possibly a beverage, such as dessert wine or liqueur. Some cultures sweeten foods that are more commonly umami, ...

. It is also used as a table cheese, in salads, and in baked goods, notably in small cheese pies ('' kalitsounia'').

Notes

Greek cheeses Sheep's-milk cheeses Goat's-milk cheeses Whey cheeses Greek products with protected designation of origin Cheeses with designation of origin protected in the European Union {{cheese-stub

Production

Serving

See also

Notes