Adyghe Cheese: A Traditional Delicacy from the Caucasus

Hello everyone! Today I want to share a delicious piece of my culture with you: Adyghe cheese (also known as Circassian cheese). This is a soft, unaged cheese that traditionally comes from the Republic of Adygea in the North Caucasus region of Russia.It has a very mild, milky, and slightly salty flavor. Its texture is soft and crumbly, somewhat similar to paneer or farmer's cheese. It is traditionally made by heating cow's, sheep's, or goat's milk and adding fermented whey. The cheese curds are then gathered and placed in special round wicker baskets. These baskets give the outside of the cheese its beautiful, recognizable woven pattern!One of the most amazing things about Adyghe cheese is that it doesn't melt when heated. Because of this, one of our favorite ways to eat it is fried! We cut it into thick slices and pan-fry it in a little butter until it gets a crispy, golden-brown crust. It is also incredibly delicious eaten fresh with ripe tomatoes, lots of fresh herbs (like cilantro and dill), and warm flatbread.It is a true taste of home for many of us. Have you ever tried frying cheese in your country? What kind of traditional cheese do you have?