🧀 Telemea
Also known as: telemea cheese, Telemea de Ibăneşti, Telemea de Sibiu
A Romanian white brined cheese from cow's or sheep's milk with a soft texture and salty taste.
Telemea is a Romanian white brined cheese made from cow's or sheep's milk, less often from goat's or buffalo milk, with a soft texture and a salty, fresh taste. It is also made in Moldova. It belongs to the brined cheeses, like feta, bryndza and sirene.
The milk is coagulated with rennet; the curd is cut, placed in moulds and pressed to drain the whey. The pressed cheese is cut into blocks, salted and kept in brine. Young telemea is eaten after a few days, matured telemea after a few weeks; in brine it keeps for a long time and becomes saltier and firmer.
Two names are registered in the EU. Telemea de Ibăneşti is a protected designation of origin (PDO) from Ibăneşti in Mureş County, made from cow's milk. Telemea de Sibiu is a protected geographical indication (PGI) from the Sibiu area, made from sheep's milk. Ordinary telemea without these names is made in many regions.
Telemea is eaten with mamăligă (polenta), added to salads and pie fillings, and served with fresh vegetables and herbs. Light white wines suit it (see Wine and cheese).
Why it matters to you. Telemea is a close substitute for feta or bryndza in salads and baking. It is quite salty: you can soak it in water or milk before serving. Keep the cheese in brine in the fridge so it does not dry out.
Facts
| Raw material | Cow's or sheep's milk |
|---|---|
| Country | Romania; also Moldova |
| Duration | From a few days to a few weeks in brine |
| Taste | Salty, fresh |
| Legal basis | Telemea de Ibăneşti (PDO), Telemea de Sibiu (PGI) |
What it includes
How it connects to Cheese
Links
- Made from which milk
- 🥛 Cow's milk, 🥛 Sheep's milk
- Part of
- 🧂 Brined cheeses, 🇷🇴 Romanian cheeses
- Similar and different
- 🧀 Feta, 🧀 Bryndza, 🧀 Sirene
Frequently asked questions
What milk is telemea made from?
Mostly cow's or sheep's milk, less often goat's or buffalo milk. Telemea de Ibăneşti (PDO) is made from cow's milk, Telemea de Sibiu (PGI) from sheep's milk.
How do you store telemea?
In brine in the fridge; without brine the cheese dries out quickly.
Is it true that telemea is the same as feta?
No. Feta is a Greek EU-protected cheese from sheep's milk; telemea is a separate Romanian brined cheese, often made from cow's milk.
Similar
🧀 Beyaz peynir · 🧀 Sirene · 🧀 Akkawi · 🧀 Urdă · 🧀 Chechil · 🧀 Bundz
ℹ️ Dairy products contain lactose and milk proteins: if you are lactose intolerant or allergic to milk protein, ask a doctor.
Sources
- eAmbrosia — EU register: Telemea de Ibăneşti (PDO, Romania)
- eAmbrosia — EU register: Telemea de Sibiu (PGI, Romania)
- FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius — CXS 283 General Standard for Cheese