White cheese vs paneer is one of the most common trivia that people of ages are trying to solve. Interestingly enough, paneer is one particular kind of cheese only that is made from cow’s milk and does not contain any other animal by-products. It is suitable for meat-free diets, particularly those living in India.
Is White Cheese The Same As Paneer?
Some of the major similarities between cheese and paneer are that cheese is produced by curdling milk with a rennet enzyme. In contrast, paneer is produced by curdling milk with vinegar, lemon juice, yogurt, or other ingredients.
White cheese has a much higher fat and cholesterol content when it comes to white cheese vs paneer. Thus, making paneer a healthier alternative to white cheese.
Brief History
The Persian and Afghan rulers introduced it in the 16th century, primarily in North India, where it was made with either goat or sheep rennet. According to Marigold Maison, the term ‘Paneer’ is derived from the word ‘peynir,’ which simply means ‘cheese’ in Turkish and Persian.
Types Of White Cheese
According to Wikipedia, there are fifteen different kinds of white cheese globally:
- ‘Asiago cheese’ is a cow’s milk cheese from Italy.
- ‘Beyaz peynir’ is a salty, white cheese made from raw sheep (or cow) milk.
- ‘Cas’ is a type of semi-soft white fresh cheese made in Romania from sheep or cow milk.
- ‘Feta’ is a brined curd cheese made traditionally in Greece.
- Fresh ‘fromage blanc’ from France and Belgium
- ‘Kesong puti’ is a soft, white cheese from the Philippines that is similar to cottage cheese.
- ‘Manouri’ is a semi-soft, fresh white whey cheese made in Greece from goat and/or sheep milk whey left over from cheese production.
- ‘Mascarpone’ is an Italian cheese made from cream that has been coagulated by the addition of citric or acetic acid.
- ‘Mizithra’ is a traditional Greek unpasteurized fresh cheese made from sheep and/or goat milk and whey.
- ‘Mozzarella’ is a form of fresh cheese from southern Italy. People often confuse it with paneer. Read our article “Paneer vs mozzarella” to know everything about them.
- ‘Quark’ is a type of fresh cheese (dairy product).
- ‘Minas cheese’ is a fresh Brazilian cheese.
- ‘Queso blanco’ is an unaged white cheese that is creamy, soft, and mild.
- ‘Ricotta’ is a type of whey cheese from Italy. More details on Ricotta cheese vs paneer are available on our blog.
- ‘Sirene’ is a brined cheese produced in Southeastern Europe.
White Cheese Vs Paneer: The Differences
Taste
White cheese made from raw sheep’s or cow’s milk can taste a bit salty and buttery, whereas paneer is pretty bland, to be honest, but can be tweaked to a lot of tastes and eating styles as per individual preferences.
Smell
White cheese has a fresh milky and buttery smell, whereas fresh paneer smells like butter, while stale paneer smells slightly sour.
Nutrition
One serving of white cheese would have 0g total carbs, 0g net carbs, 6g fat, 4g protein, and 90 calories, whereas every 100gm of paneer will have roughly 19.1g of protein, 22g fat, 14g of saturated fat, 210 mcg Vitamin C, and 420 mg calcium.
Calories
Every 100 gm of white cheese would consist of 360 calories, whereas every 100gm of paneer would contain 296 calories.
Ingredients
While curdling milk rennet enzyme is necessary to make white cheese, paneer is made from curdled milk and a fruit or vegetable acid, such as lemon juice.
Culture
Turkey is famous for its fresh white cheeses known as Beyaz Peynir (similar to Feta).
Fresh Kashar, a smooth cheese made from cow’s milk that is used in sandwiches and on pizzas, is another popular cheese, whereas paneer is predominantly famous in India. Paneer has been a major part of some of the exquisite vegetarian Indian dishes since its inception.
Texture
By and large, white cheese has a similar texture as paneer. However, it can be molded as per individual preferences and types of white cheese, whereas paneer has a marble-white look with a spongy body, a close-knit texture, and an acidic-nutty flavor.
Preparation Technique Of Paneer
You’d only need whole milk, a cheesecloth, and lemon juice. In less than an hour, you’ll have delicious Indian cheese.
- Begin with getting a large double layer of cheesecloth in your colander and place it in the sink. Then, over medium heat, bring 8 cups of whole milk to a gentle boil while stirring.
- After that, add your lemon juice and reduce the heat to low. As you stir more, you notice that curd has begun to form. Remove from the heat and strain the contents into a lined colander, rinsing with cold water. Squeeze out the excess liquid using the cheesecloth.
- Drain any remaining liquid. After that, tightly twist the ball and place another plate on top, weighing it down with a heavy pot to ensure smooth cheese. Refrigerate it in this manner for about 20 minutes and it’s ready to be used as per your taste and preference.
People often ask: is paneer pasteurized? Do you know the answer?
Popular Paneer Recipes
Paneer is used in a wide variety of dishes, particularly in Indian culture.
Among the most popular Paneer dishes are:
- Paneer Tikka Masala
- Samosa
- Paneer Butter Masala
- Kadai Paneer
- Dum Paneer
- Paneer Bhurji
- Paneer Makhni Biryani
All of these dishes are popular in India and revolve around their favorite cheese, Paneer.
Whether you eat Paneer by itself or in a dish, use it quickly because it is only meant to be kept in the refrigerator for two or three days.
Five Popular Ways Of Using White Cheese
In a dip
First and foremost, did you know that white cheese makes an excellent base for a creamy and flavorful dip? If you think white cheese is too heavy and high in calories for dipping, try one of the many light varieties.
Not only do you get a lighter dip, but the light products also have a very creamy texture, making them ideal for a cheese dip. Simply take a large piece of cheese, mash it with a fork, and top with a dollop of sour cream, yogurt, or something similar.
Cream up your soup!
Because feta or white cheese is creamy and has a high-fat content, it is ideal for adding a creamy texture to dishes. Instead of heavy cream, add a chunk of white cheese to soups and sauces.
It will also enhance the flavor because white cheese is naturally more flavorful than cream.
To ensure a deliciously smooth texture, use an immersion blender to blend the cheese into the sauce or soup.
Replace other types of cheese
As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, white cheese can be used in place of most cooking cheeses. Here are a few of our favorite places to use white cheese as a substitute:
- In pies – not just savory ones, but also sweet ones.
- On pizza, lasagna, and tortillas, to name a few.
- Instead of cheddar, use this on your nachos. Serve the nachos with homemade chunky tomato salsa and a few slices of avocado, yum!
- Served with flatbreads and bruschetta.
Grilled in the oven
Feta and white cheese are both firm cheeses that hold their shape when heated. As a result, they are ideal for grilling. White cheese can be grilled on the grill or in the oven.
- Grill it with a drizzle of olive oil and serve on a tapas plate or as part of a vegetarian meal.
- You can also serve the cheese with honey and nuts as part of an after-dinner cheese platter or as a tasty brunch dish.
- Toasty bread complements the warm, slightly caramelized cheese perfectly.
- If you want to make a more filling summer dish, grill your white cheese with vegetables like aubergine, tomatoes, or corn.
A great idea is to cut up a bunch of vegetables, toss them in oil and spices, and place them in a heatproof dish. Grill until the cheese is golden and the vegetables are tender for about 10 minutes.
White cheese in desserts
Finally, we must not overlook dessert because white cheese is also delicious in sweet dishes. Crumbled cheese can be added to your favorite berry muffins or scones for a wonderful, salty twist. Berries go especially well with white cheese.
Most people associate cream cheese with cheese cakes and puddings, but white cheese is also popular. Replace about half of the cream cheese with white cheese, and you’ll have a unique and delicious cheesecake. Another delicious and unique way to use white cheese and create an original summer dessert is to make a portion of sweet dip.
- Combine half white cheese and half cream fraiche/sour cream to take a dip.
- Mix in some vanilla extract, lemon zest, and melted white chocolate.
- Stir until combined, then serve with fresh fruit, berries, and whole-grain biscuits for a deliciously simple summer dessert.
The next time you make a cream cheese frosting for zucchini bread or carrot muffins, try replacing half of the cream cheese with white cheese. It adds a salty flavor to the icing, which is ideal for these types of cakes.
