🧀 Xynomyzithra Kritis
Also known as: Ξυνομυζήθρα Κρήτης, Xinomizithra
Xynomyzithra Kritis is a soft, sour Cretan PDO whey cheese made from sheep and goat whey, sometimes with added milk. Used in kalitsounia and on dakos.
Xynomyzithra Kritis is a soft, sour Cretan whey cheese with a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), registered in the EU in 1996. It is made from the whey of sheep and goat cheeses, to which a little sheep or goat milk may be added. “Xyno” means “sour” in Greek.
Where it is made. The PDO area is the island of Crete, where sheep and goat herding in the mountains has a long tradition and the whey from cheesemaking is turned into another cheese instead of being thrown away.
How it is made. The whey is heated until the proteins gather into flakes, which are drained in cloth bags, salted and left to sour. During ripening the cheese develops a pleasant acidity. Other Whey cheeses are made in a similar way, but fresh myzithra does not turn sour.
Taste and texture. The cheese is white, rindless, soft and grainy; the taste is tangy, fresh and lightly salty.
How to eat it. Xynomyzithra goes into Cretan kalitsounia pastries, is crumbled over salads and dakos (a rusk with tomato and olive oil), and is added to pasta. Crisp white wines suit it (see Wine and cheese).
Xynomyzithra Kritis belongs to the sections Greek cheeses and Protected cheese names; its raw materials are whey, sheep milk and goat milk.
Why it matters to you. Xynomyzithra is lighter than most aged cheeses and works well with vegetable dishes. The name is protected in the EU: genuine Xynomyzithra Kritis comes only from Crete.
Facts
| Raw material | Sheep and goat whey, sometimes with milk |
|---|---|
| Country | Greece |
| Region | Island of Crete |
| Legal basis | EU PDO since 21.06.1996, PDO-GR-0448 1 |
How it connects to Cheese
🧀 Xynomyzithra Kritis → kind of → 💧 Whey cheeses → kind of → 🧀 Cheese
Links
- Made from which milk
- 🥛 Sheep's milk, 🥛 Goat's milk
- Part of
- 💧 Whey cheeses, 🏷️ Protected cheese names, 🇬🇷 Greek cheeses
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Xynomyzithra mean?
“Xyno” is Greek for “sour”, so it is sour myzithra, a whey cheese from Crete.
What do you eat Xynomyzithra with?
In Cretan kalitsounia pastries, on dakos, in salads and with pasta.
Is it true that the sour taste of Xynomyzithra means the cheese has gone off?
No. The tang is a normal feature of this cheese and develops during ripening.
What to read next
- 🥛 Sheep's milk — The richest in protein and calcium of the common milks; almost all of it goes into cheese.
- 🥛 Goat's milk — Close to cow's milk in its main values; smaller fat globules and a characteristic “goaty” taste.
Similar
🧀 Manouri · 🧀 Brocciu · 🧀 Arseniko Naxou · 🧀 Kopanisti · 🧀 Graviera Agrafon · 🧀 Kashkavali Pindou
ℹ️ Dairy products contain lactose and milk proteins: if you are lactose intolerant or allergic to milk protein, ask a doctor.
Sources
- eAmbrosia — Ξυνομυζήθρα Κρήτης / Xynomyzithra Kritis (PDO-GR-0448)
- EUR-Lex — Регламент Комісії (ЄС) № 1107/96