The benefits of consuming cottage cheese are well-renowned across the globe. With so many variations springing up in every country, people are often left with questions like is Turkish Peynir the same as Indian paneer, or what is paneer called in Turkey? Today, we are going to debunk some Beyaz Peynir vs paneer myths and give you everything you need to know about each variation.
What Is Beyaz Peynir?
Beyaz Peynir is a semi-soft white Turkish cheese that is usually derived from sheep, cow, or goat’s milk. It is an unpasteurized rindless cheese that has a whitish grainy appearance. Similar to the process of the Greek feta cheese, Beyaz Peynir is stored in brine for a period of six or more months.
Beyaz Peynir is traditionally served in salads and incorporated into several local dishes. There are also regional varieties of Beyaz Peynir that are often mixed with herbs and spices.
What Is Paneer?
Paneer is a versatile Indian cottage cheese that forms a major part of Indian cuisine. The fresh cheese was used in Mughal kitchens in order to recreate meat dishes for vegetarians and has since been incorporated into North Indian dishes to cater to vegetarians.
The Indian acid-set cheese is obtained by curdling hot milk using vegetable-based acids like lemon juice and vinegar which gives it a soft, creamy texture. Often paneer is confused with other international cheeses due to its flexible texture and multipurpose uses. Here is some paneer vs farmers cheese facts and halloumi vs paneer facts to know more. Pay attention to even the specific brands of paneer, such as Nanak brand paneer vs Verka paneer, which have slight variations in their texture. So, is Beyaz Peynir the same as paneer? Let’s get into this briefly in the next section.
Beyaz Peynir Vs Paneer: Are They The Same?
Beyaz Peynir is a Turkish white cheese that is usually made from unpasteurized sheep milk. If you are an aficionado of white cheese, you may have been acquainted with its popularity in Turkish breakfasts.
Paneer is well-loved non-melting cheese that is firm in texture, so it is usually a staple in Indian dishes. Since it does not melt on being heated, it is even incorporated in dishes like paneer tikka masala, which often requires paneer to be fried and grilled in a tandoor. So, Beyaz Peynir and paneer are not the same and are completely different cheeses. If you have a penchant for comparing different cheeses, then make sure to check out some Indian paneer vs Bangladeshi paneer facts for more insight.
Beyaz Peynir Vs Paneer: What Are The Differences?
While paneer is derived from buffalo or pasteurized milk, Beyaz Peynir is made from unpasteurized sheep milk or almost any animal that can produce milk. Listed below are some of the main Beyaz Peynir vs paneer differences.
History
White cheese is a part of Turkish cuisine and is a breakfast staple in most households. Beyaz Peynir can be found in any corner of the country, and it usually varies in texture and taste depending on the region. The origin of Beyaz Peynir can be traced back to millions of years back when the Sumerians, the earliest settlers of Mesopotamia, created 20 types of different cheeses. From time immemorial, the villages of Turkey passed down their own styles of cheese, making it a popular delicacy today.
The history of paneer can easily be traced back to Persian and Afghan rules in the 16th century. Although the name is derived from the Persian term ‘panir’, which means cheese, modern paneer has undergone a number of changes in its recipe and is completely different from Beyaz Peynir.
Smell
When it comes to Beyaz Peynir vs Paneer facts, one of the most prominent differences can be associated with their taste. Since Beyaz Peynir is stored in brine for six or more months, it has a tangy taste. On the other hand, paneer has a milky and nutty taste which dissolves in your mouth in chunks.
Texture
Beyaz Peynir has a grainy texture that resembles a sweet Indian dish known as ‘Sandesh’. The traditional white cheese is crumbly in texture, so they are traditionally sprinkled over salads like Greek feta cheese or served with a slice of kavun (melon).
Regarding paneer, it has a creamy and exceptionally firm texture.
Calories
While Beyaz Peynir contains 72 calories per serving, paneer provides a total of 256 calories for 1 serving.
Nutrition
Raw paneer has been attributed to various health benefits as it is packed with antioxidants. Paneer has a high protein content and is a rich source of calcium. Beyaz Peynir is another low-calorie cheese that proves beneficial to your diet.
Methods of Preparation
Beyaz Peynir is made from fresh milk, which is curdled with rennet. Usually, vegetable rennet is used to clot the milk, and the curd is processed for a few hours. Then the mixture is roughly chopped and strained, and the cheese is cut into slices and immersed in a brine solution.
On the contrary, paneer is made from buffalo’s milk, and a vegetable acid is used to break the milk. The process of making paneer does not include animal rennet, and the curdled milk is pressed to remove the whey. Unlike other cheese, it is not salted and thus has a mild, milky flavor.
Preservation Techniques
Paneer has a very low shelf life and can be stored for 2-3 days. If you use paneer in an Indian dish, make sure to preserve the leftovers for not more than 3 days. Paneer in a curry usually tastes better the next day.
Beyaz Peynir is a white cheese that can be stored in brine, which is basically salt added to drinking water. Storing Beyaz Peynir in brine maintains its taste and nutritional value for a very long time. It can be compared to queso blanco, which is also aged in a similar manner and assumes a better texture and taste the more it ages.
