Baladi cheese (Arabic: جبنة بلدية or جبنة بلدي,) is a soft, white cheese originating in the Middle East.[1] It has a mild yet rich flavor.[2]
Baladi has the same size and shape as Syrian cheese with markings from the draining basket or hoop which leave a design patterned on its outer surface. It is slightly higher in fat than Syrian and its texture is softer, creamier and less chewy.
Baladi is made using milk from baladi goats. The word baladi means "village" or "country".[3] Baladi is also called the "cheese of the mountains" since it is made among high mountains by shepherds in Lebanon.
Baladi is a fresh, traditionally unpasteurized, and uncultured cheese made with a mixture of goat, cow and sheep's milk. The diverse microflora, high moisture, uncultured, and unpasteurized nature tends to limit the shelf life to 3 days.