Myzithra Cheese
By: Chris Paulk

About

Myzithra is available in three varieties: fresh (sweet), sour, and aged:
Fresh Myzithra is unsalted and soft, similar to ricotta, and is generally sold in egg-shaped balls. It has a pungent odor and mild flavor.
Sour Myzithra, is made with goat or sheep milk, yeast, and salt.
Aged Myzithra is a hard, salty cheese.
Aged Myzithra is probably the most common as it is generally found tossed into pasta in many Greek restaurants and chain restaurants like The Spaghetti factory.
Because it has a pungent aroma and rich taste, aged Mizithra is best served grated in browned butter and simply tossed with pasta and a little garlic.

Information
Other names: Mizithra


Physical Description
Myzithra is a hard salty cheese that is white and almost chalky looking. It has a pungent aroma and is generally sold in either wedges or shredded form.
Colors: white to cream


Tasting Notes
Flavors: salty
Mouthfeel: Earthy, Sharp, Pungent
Food complements: Pasta, Garlic, Herbs, Pine nuts, Walnuts, Anise, Fennel, Tomatoes
Wine complements: Red wine, Cabernet savignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, White wine
Beverage complements: Tea
Substitutes: For fresh myzithra: mascarpone or ricotta. for aged myzithra: kefalotyri, Parmesan, Pecorino romano.