Sirene | |
---|---|
Other names | White cheese |
Country of origin | Balkans |
Region, town | N/A |
Region | Balkans |
Source of milk | Goats, Sheep, Cows |
Pasteurised | Depends on variety |
Texture | Depends on variety |
Aging time | min. 3 months |
Sirene (Bulgarian: сирене, pronounced [ˈsireɲe]; Serbian/Croatian: сир, sir, Macedonian: сирење, Albanian: djath i bardhe) or known as "white brine sirene" (Bulgarian: бяло саламурено сирене, [ˈsirɛnɛ]) is a type of brined cheese made in the Balkans (South-Eastern Europe), especially popular in Croatia, Serbia, Republic of Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, Montenegro and also in Israel. It is made of goat's milk, sheep milk, cow milk or a combination of milks. It is slightly crumbly with min. dry matter of about 46-48% and fat content in dry matter of about 44-48%. It is commonly produced in blocks, and has a slightly grainy texture. It is used as a table cheese, as well as in salads and in baking.
In Bulgarian, the general term for any type of cheese is сирене (sirene), although this also refers more specifically to the brined cheese made in the region.
Sirene, together with yogurt, is a national food of all the countries in the Balkans, existing in many national and regional variations. Many Romanians, Macedonians, Bulgarians, Bosnians, Serbs, Croats, Montenegrins, and Albanians regularly eat some sirene or yoghurt in some form.