Cheesy (Halloumi)

Member Name: DavidJWest

Product:	Halloumi
Date:	17/04/02 (112 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Tasty

Disadvantages: Not cheap

I have visited Cyprus three times over the past two years and have discovered a lot of wonderful "cuisine" on my trips there.

I am not really a big fan of cheeses in general but Halloumi is very different to most run of the mill cheese.

It is made from goats milk, the goats themselves living on a diet largely of herbs, not sure exactly which herbs these pampered goats are allowed to dine on though.

The cheese is pale in colour and quite soft, with a dry rind to protect the more moist centre. Usually you will find it is grilled to form a starter in good Cyprus restaurants, but can be used in a variety of ways. In this country you will generally find it sold for around £2 for 8oz, in all good supermarkets (I soundlike an advert now). If you do decide to try it yourself I recommend grilling it, it brings out the flavour.

The flavour itself is hard to describe, imagine a cross between Mozarella and Feta, but with a slight herby taste. It really is very pleasant and not at all harsh like some cheeses. The texture is quite rubbery I suppose, it is very satisfying to chew this morsel, especially when warm. But it doesn't end up being messy to eat, it behaves itself quite well.

Halloumi has been made on Cyprus for centuries, it is one of the major exports from this small island, probably one of the Cypriots best kept secrets.

Summary: