Cheese 101: Guide to ten types of cheese.

Cheese happens to be almost everybody’s favourite when it comes to indulgence. However, it can seem overwhelming for a beginner in the kitchen to know what type of cheese to use when. Here’s our guide to 10 types of cheese.

1. Mozzarella: Having its origins from Italy, mozzarella cheese is prepared using the milk of water buffalos in Italy. However, cow milk mozzarella is also available in department stores today. It is semi-soft in texture and needs to be consumed fresh. It is a versatile cheese and can be used to make salads, pizzas, meat, and vegetable recipes.
2. Feta: Feta is a very popular greek cheese and used mostly on greek salads. It’s made from goat milk and has a tangy and salty taste. It can be used in pizzas, pies and paired along with some wines as well.
3. Parmesan: Parmesan is one of the most popularly known cheeses over the world. With a crumbly texture and a nutty flavour this cheese is made from cow’s milk and is well used in pizzas, soups, pasta and risottos.
4. Mascarpone:  Mascarpone is an Italian cheese used for desserts. It has a rich buttery creamy consistency and is used in Italian delicacies such as Tiramisu and several cheesecakes.
5. Brie: Brie originates from a region in France, also called as brie. This cheese has a grey tint to it and usually tastes different when prepared in other cooking methods. This cheese is popularly used in desserts.
6. Cheddar: Cheddar is one of the most commercially consumed cheeses, and it is made from cows milk. It has a distinct yellow colour and is used popularly in Mac and Cheese.
7. Gouda: Gouda is a Dutch cheese, named after a city in the Netherlands. This cheese is made from cow’s milk and is best paired with wines.
8. Ricotta: Ricotta is an Italian cheese made from Whey. This cheese has a slightly sweet and a creamy texture and is used in lasagnas, ravioli, manicotti, and other pasta types.
9. Cottage Cheese: Cottage cheese originates from The United States and is made by acidifying curds from milk with bacteria. This cheese is similar to the Indian Paneer and has a high protein content to it. Its best used in salads and for fillings.
10. Cream Cheese: Cream cheese originated in England in the early 1500s. It has a mild, sweet taste with a little bit of tang. This cheese can also be made at home, and you can add different ingredients to it to make different flavours such as garlic, chives and vanilla essence. Cream cheese is used heavily in desserts like cheesecakes and cream cheese frostings.