- Different varieties of cheese
Cheese is an ancient food product. The Russian word "syr" (cheese) goes back through Old Russian сыръ to Proto-Slavic *sуrъ (a substantivized adjective meaning "raw"). Of the same root: Old Prussian suris "cheese," Old Norse súrr "leaven," Old High German sûr "sour," as well as "raw, whey," "harsh." The origin of cheese predates written history; it is assumed that the technology is based on the use of rennet enzymes from the stomachs of ruminants to turn milk into cheese heads. There is no conclusive evidence about the exact place of origin of cheese-making technology.
In cooking, cheeses are used in salads (Greek, Caesar, with arugula, feta, mozzarella, Parmesan), soups (onion, mushroom, tomato, cheese), sauces (cheese, hollandaise, béchamel), baked goods (pizza, pies, quiches, khachapuri, lasagna, pasta, risotto), main courses (meat, poultry, fish, vegetables, casseroles, fondue), sandwiches, burgers, and hot appetizers. Cheeses are classified by consistency (hard, semi-hard, soft, brine), type of milk (cow, goat, sheep, water buffalo), production method (pressed cooked, pressed uncooked, rennet, fermented milk, blue-veined, washed-rind, smoked, processed). Popular varieties: Parmesan, Pecorino, Grana Padano, Cheddar, Gouda, Edam, Maasdam, Emmental, Gruyère, Roquefort, Camembert, Brie, Dorblu, Feta, Brine cheese, Suluguni, Mozzarella, Ricotta, Mascarpone, cream cheeses, goat cheese, and sheep cheese.
Cheeses are rich in protein (20–30%), fat (20–40%), calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sodium, zinc, and vitamins (A, D, E, K, B vitamins). In folk medicine, cheeses (in moderation) are recommended for osteoporosis, anemia, vitamin deficiency, fractures, for strengthening bones, teeth, hair, nails, and improving digestion and metabolism. Contraindicated in gastritis (with high acidity), gastric and duodenal ulcers, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, obesity, hypertension (salted cheeses), gout (fatty cheeses). Some cheeses (blue-veined) are contraindicated during pregnancy (listeriosis) and allergies.