| Van herbed cheese | |
| Country: | Turkey |
| Region: | Van Province |
| Source: | Cows, sheep, goats |
| Texture: | semi-hard |
Van herbed cheese (Turkish: Van otlu peyniri) is a type of cheese traditionally made from raw sheep milk, though cow and goat milk may be used or added. It is semi-hard in texture, and is produced primarily in the Van Province of Turkey.[1] [2]
Eastern Turkey has a centuries-long history of producing ripened, herbed cheeses. They are typically semi-hard, and have a salty taste alongside the herb aroma. Herbs typically used in these cheeses include alliums, thyme, Silene vulgaris, and Chaerophyllum, among others. Traditionally, cheesemakers making this cheese use rennet to coagulate raw sheep's milk, then mix the herbs in with the curds to drain and be pressed. The cheese is then brined, and matures underground for 2–3 months. The herbs used in the cheese have antibiotic properties, and therefore increase the cheese's shelf-life.
Otlu, produced mainly in the Van Province of Turkey, is perhaps the most popular of these cheeses. Traditionally, it is made in small dairies and villages, however, as the cheese has grown in popularity, it has seen increased production in larger cities across Turkey.