What are the differences between cheeses?

Thousands of types of cheese are made around the world, differing in various aspects based on the culture of each region, the geographical environment, and the tastes of the local people. The texture, aroma, and flavor of each cheese are unique to it. Various factors contribute to the different tastes and textures of cheese, from the milk used to make the cheese to the processing and flavoring methods, as well as the aging time and the method used for aging. We have heard the names of some types of cheese before, but some types of cheese are also used for fast food, about which we know less.

What cheeses are most commonly used in fast food?

Certainly, bread and cheese are the first and oldest fast food in the world, a delicious and complete food that has existed in most cultures since ancient times. However, by fast food, we mean various types of burgers, sandwiches, and pizzas—the kind that has become established as fast food in our own culture and is actually an imitation of the American fast food idea. So, in a way, we can say that fast foods are American foods. Although the original source of pizza is Italy, we all know that American pizza is different from Italian pizza, and Iranians prefer American pizza. The most common cheeses on the menus of American restaurants are cheddar, followed by parmesan. Cheddar has English roots, and parmesan is originally Italian. Mozzarella is mostly used for pizza. Also, blue cheese is used for burgers in addition to cheddar. Feta, gouda, gorgonzola, provolone, American cheese, fontina, ricotta, gruyere, and others are also used in different American fast food establishments and restaurants for various dishes. Below, we will introduce each of these cheeses and their uses in different fast foods.

Gorgonzola, one of the best blue cheeses for fast food

Gorgonzola cheese is a type of blue cheese with Italian origins. Blue cheeses are named for the bluish veins that run through them, which are caused by a type of mold. Gorgonzola is made from unpasteurized cow's milk and has a sharp taste and a soft, creamy texture. Gorgonzola is known as a dessert cheese. This cheese is delicious with various salads, raw and cooked vegetables, fruits, as well as with different mustards and jams. It is also used in making various sauces. In America, many fast food restaurants use gorgonzola cheese to flavor and enhance the taste of various pizzas and pastas.

Mozzarella, one of the best types of cheese for fast food

Many of us have heard the name mozzarella cheese. High-moisture mozzarella is a type of fresh cheese that does not undergo any aging process and is best consumed when it is produced. This cheese has Italian origins. In Italy, mozzarella cheese is made with buffalo milk, but in other countries, cow's milk is used for its preparation. Mozzarella cheese has a creamy and elastic texture and a mild, milky flavor. The elasticity of mozzarella makes it a top choice for fast foods like pizza. It also makes a great combination in lasagna and various salads. It is also a good choice for burgers and hot sandwiches.

For making pizza, you can use either fresh high-moisture mozzarella or low-moisture mozzarella, which has a richer flavor and a denser texture. The melt and stretch of low-moisture mozzarella are more suitable for baking pizza. The number one choice for pizza cheese is mozzarella.

Feta, a heavenly taste

Feta cheese is another popular cheese among Iranians. Although Iranian feta is known worldwide, the origin of feta cheese is Greek. This cheese is made from goat's or sheep's milk and falls into the category of fresh cheeses. Feta is first made and then pickled in brine in the form of blocks to become completely salty and sharp. Iranian feta is less salty than Greek feta and has a more buttery flavor. The texture of feta cheese is dry and crumbly, and in addition to making very tasty combinations with cucumber, tomato, onion, and seeded fruits like grapes, it is also a type of cheese for fast food that is very versatile. Feta cheese can be used to garnish various pizzas and to add excellent flavor to special fast food sauces.

Ricotta, sweet and mild

One of the soft and creamy cheeses with a spreadable quality is ricotta cheese. It is a cheese with Italian origins, made from leftover whey. Ricotta has a mild and slightly sweet flavor and is made from cow's, sheep's, goat's, or buffalo milk. Ricotta is a type of cheese for fast food that can create various delicious combinations. Ricotta can be used on pizza, various pastas and lasagnas, and different breads. It also makes a wonderful combination in various desserts and alongside sweet fruits such as strawberries.

Cream cheese, versatile

Cream cheese is made by adding more cream to a type of French cheese. Cream cheese is made from cow's milk and is very rich, mild, and homogeneous, and it spreads easily. All these characteristics make cream cheese a type of cheese for fast food that is used for various sandwiches. Cream cheese is also used to make various sauces that are used in fast food. Cream cheese is also used to make various pastries and desserts. It also tastes very delicious combined with aromatic vegetables and fruits like berries.

Cottage cheese, healthy and nutritious

One of the healthiest and most nutritious cheeses is cottage cheese. This cheese is made from cow's milk and, with its very high protein and low fat content, is excellent for all age groups. It has a mild and milky flavor and a thick texture and is used for breakfast with various fruits. It is also a type of fast food cheese that is widely used in preparing delicious dips for sandwiches.

Goat cheese, for a more complex and rich flavor

Another type of fast food cheese is goat cheese. Goat cheese, whose origin is attributed to the Middle East or the Mediterranean Sea, is an incredibly creamy and spreadable cheese with a sharp flavor that goes well with all kinds of food, from sweet to savory. Goat cheese is used for pizza, pasta, or various sandwiches to give a richer flavor to the meal. Even McDonald's has recently added a goat cheese burger to its menu.

Danablu, for dreamy burgers

Danish blue cheese, or Danablu, is one of the mildest and most delicious blue cheeses. It has a sharp taste and a crumbly texture and is made from cow's milk. Danablu cheese can be used in various soups, salad dressings, or pasta. Its use in hamburgers and sandwich dips also makes your food much more delicious.

Havarti, cheese for special pizzas

Among the types of fast food cheese, Havarti can be mentioned. Havarti cheese, due to its excellent melting properties, is used for various pizzas, sandwiches, hamburgers, etc. The origin of Havarti cheese is Denmark, and it is made from cow's milk. Havarti is a semi-soft cheese with a sweet and tangy flavor and a delicate, creamy, and elastic texture.

Provolone, chefs' second choice for pizza

Provolone is another type of fast food cheese that falls into the semi-soft cheese category. It is a cheese with Italian origins, an elastic texture, and a sharp, buttery flavor, made from cow's milk. Due to its excellent melting quality, provolone is a top-notch cheese for various burgers, fried foods, pizzas, and sandwiches.

American cheese, one of the main choices of chefs

When McDonald's is mentioned, American cheese also comes into play. It is a top-notch cheese for hamburgers or grilling. American cheese is produced by processing cream and whey and has a homogeneous and creamy texture. The salty taste of American cheese becomes much more palatable alongside other cheeses such as Havarti and provolone. American cheese is also enjoyed for breakfast, alongside beef or bacon.

Taleggio, authentically Italian

Taleggio is another Italian cheese used for pizza. Taleggio cheese is a semi-soft and rubbery cheese that becomes creamy and spreadable if left at room temperature. Taleggio has a sharp, tangy, and rich flavor and is made from cow's milk. Taleggio can be used in making various salads, preparing pizza, and risotto.

Parmesan, delicious and nutritious

One of the most famous types of cheese for fast food in Iran is Parmesan cheese. Parmesan has a delicate and slightly sweet flavor and a dry texture. This Italian cheese, which is now produced in various countries, is considered one of the healthy cheeses due to its high protein content. Parmesan cheese is used in various pastas and salads and for various sandwich dips. It is also an excellent flavoring for pizza.

Kashkaval, a gift from Eastern Europe

Kashkaval cheese is another type of cheese for fast food that originates from Eastern European countries. It is a semi-hard cheese that can be sliced or grated and used in cooking. Kashkaval has a sharp and salty taste and a creamy and firm texture. Kashkaval cheese is made from cow's or sheep's milk and is used in various salads and pizzas. The flavor of kashkaval goes well with olives, scallions, and dried fruits.

Cheddar, an English dream

Cheddar cheese is one of the most famous types of cheese for fast food among Iranians. Cheddar has a rich and complex flavor and is slightly sharp. It has a soft yet crumbly texture and is considered a semi-hard cheese. Cheddar cheese is the second favorite cheese of Americans and the most popular cheese among the English. The origin of cheddar cheese is the village of Cheddar in England. Cheddar is used to make various sandwiches, paninis, and potatoes.

Emmental, Swiss-style pizza cheese

Emmental is a type of Swiss cheese with a wonderful and complex flavor and a dense, velvety texture with numerous holes created during the fermentation process of this type of cheese. It is a semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk and is meltable. Because of this, many restaurants today also use Emmental cheese on pizza. Emmental cheese is also used in soufflé and gratin recipes and is more palatable alongside bacon and potatoes or fruits such as peaches and grapes.

Gouda, for a complex and rich flavor in fast food

Gouda cheese has Dutch origins and is one of the most famous types of fast food cheese. Gouda, which is made from cow's milk, has a mild and rich flavor. Due to its excellent flavor and melting properties, gouda cheese is used on pizza, various sandwiches, salads, and omelets.

Gruyère, for various pizzas and sandwiches

Gruyère is another type of Swiss cheese that can be used in various sandwiches and pizzas. Gruyère is made from cow's milk and is a semi-hard cheese. It has a sweet, salty, and nutty flavor and a grainy and dense texture, and due to its melting properties, it is a good choice for various pizzas.

Grana Padano, for various Italian dishes

Grana Padano is a type of hard cheese that has reached the people of the world from northern Italy. It has a grainy and crumbly texture and is made from cow's milk. The flavor of Grana Padano is rich and goes well with fish, potatoes, and eggplant. Grana Padano can also be grated on various pizzas, pastas, and soups and used in various sauces.

Parmigiano-Reggiano, special and delicious

Parmigiano-Reggiano is somewhat the same as Parmesan cheese, with the difference that it is only produced in the Parma, Modena, and Reggio Emilia regions of Italy and a few other areas. In fact, Parmesan is a cheaper and lower-quality substitute for this type of cheese. Parmigiano-Reggiano is sharp and salty and has a dry and crumbly texture. This luxurious cheese is grated on salads, pastas, pizzas, etc., and its unique flavor is enjoyed.

Mimolette, an authentic French cheese

Mimolette cheese is a French cheese similar to round Dutch cheeses with a beautiful orange color. The flavor of mimolette is sweet and buttery, and it has a dense texture. Mimolette can be grated on various hot foods containing meat or fish or eaten with salad. It is also an ideal topping for pizza.

Fontina, one of the most special types of fast food cheese

Another delightful type of Italian cheese is Fontina. Fontina cheese is suitable for various pizzas, pastas, and burgers because it melts well. Fontina cheese has a sweet and nutty flavor and is made from cow's milk.

Emmentaler, for an ideal burger

Emmentaler cheese is a Swiss cheese with a nutty and buttery flavor that is also slightly acidic and has good melting properties. It is yellow and semi-hard and is a type of fast food cheese used for burgers and sandwich dishes.

Conclusion

In this article, we introduced you to a large number of types of fast food cheese. Cooking is a creative art, and surely many chefs around the world try and introduce different flavors and combinations to the world every day. What combination of cheese do you like in fast food? Do you prefer a delicious cheeseburger with cheddar cheese, or do you enjoy a pizza with lots of mozzarella?