Authentic Greek Feta, protected by PDO status, must be made in Greece from sheep's milk or a blend of sheep's milk (at least 70%) and goat's milk (up to 30%), giving it a distinctive tangy, salty flavor and crumbly texture. Cheeses made outside Greece with cow's milk are technically "feta-style," but lack the unique taste profile of true Greek Feta.
Traditionally, feta cheese is made with 100% sheep's milk or with up to 30% of goat's milk mixed in.
Comments Section The main difference is if it is made with sheep's/goat's milk or cow's milk. Most, if not all, domestic (US) feta is made with cow's milk. Greek feta (PDO: Protected Designation of Origin) will always be made with sheep's milk, and maybe some goat's milk as well.
Overall, is feta good for you? When it comes to cheese, feta is a healthy choice. Not only is it packed with protein and fat – both essential nutrients for helping you to feel full and energised – it's also good for your gut. Probiotic yeasts in feta may lower the PH in your stomach, which is key for a healthy gut.
Some people who produce a small amount of lactase are still able to digest milk products. If levels of lactase are too low, you'll become lactose intolerant and experience symptoms after you eat or drink dairy products. Many people who are lactose intolerant can manage it without giving up all foods with dairy.
Soft, unpasteurized cheeses like feta, Brie, Camembert, blue-veined cheeses, and goat — as well as ready-to-eat meats like hot dogs and deli meats — may contain Listeria, bacteria that cause mild flu-like symptoms in most adults but can be very dangerous for unborn babies.
Research has shown that including fermented foods like feta cheese in our diet can positively impact gut health, making it a delicious way to boost our intake of probiotics.
Moreover, with many Greek dishes being vegetarian and over 180 fasting days in the Greek Orthodox calendar, where the consumption of meat is prohibited, feta cheese also takes the place of meat in many vegetable-based dishes.
The unhealthiest cheeses are generally highly processed varieties like American cheese singles or cheese spreads (due to high sodium, additives, and lower nutrients) and very rich, creamy soft cheeses like Brie, Camembert, or triple-crèmes, which are packed with saturated fat and calories, making them best as infrequent treats, says sources 1, 5, 6. Harder cheeses like Stilton and Roquefort can also be high in saturated fat and sodium, respectively, notes sources 4, 8.
Feta cheese, which is made from sheeps' milk, contains a protein called histidine. When histidine is combined with vitamin B6, it undergoes a molecular process to become histamine, a compound that provides anti-inflammatory benefits.
Five of the healthiest cheeses
To be called feta, it must be produced in Greece. Feta is a legal designation, similar to Champagne or Roquefort. Romania, Bulgaria, France, and Denmark, among others, make similar cheeses, but they can't be called feta. The word feta is derived for an ancient Greek word meaning slice.
One of the easiest and more popular ways to incorporate Feta to a dish is to crumble it. Feta Crumbles are so versatile that you can use them to garnish pasta, watermelon, grapes, nuts, chickpeas, potatoes, salads, pizza, or eggs.
Athenos' Traditional feta cheese is made the Greek way – simply and with respect for the ingredients. Ingredients: Feta Cheese (Pasteurized Part-Skim Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes), Powdered Cellulose To Prevent Caking, Natamycin (A Natural Mold Inhibitor). Allergens & Warnings: CONTAINS: MILK.
Yes, feta cheese can be a nutritious choice when eaten in moderation. It is lower in fat and calories compared to many other cheeses and contains protein, calcium, and probiotics.
Sheep's milk fetas (the classic option) tend to be sharpest, while goat's and cow's milk versions are milder. But the most useful distinction is the geographical style. These are the three main types of feta you'll see at the store, and what they're best for.
Any cheese with an ingredients list of only milk, salt, and enzymes/cultures (like cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, gouda, feta, goat cheese, cottage cheese, etc.) is 100% real cheese, while "American Cheese" or "cheese products" often contain added emulsifiers and flavorings, making them processed rather than purely natural cheese. Always check the label: if it lists more than milk, salt, and enzymes (like sodium citrate, whey, artificial flavors), it's a cheese product.
Typically, probiotics are in cheeses that have been aged but not heated afterward. This includes both soft and hard cheeses, including Swiss, provolone, Gouda, cheddar, Edam, Gruyère, and cottage cheese.
Casu martzu (Sardinian: [ˈkazu ˈmaɾtsu]; lit. 'rotten cheese') is a Sardinian sheep milk cheese that contains live fly maggots.
Feta cheese is a popular choice for those looking to manage their cholesterol levels. It's lower in fat compared to many other cheeses and provides beneficial nutrients like calcium and protein.
However, in much of Europe, leaving food is looked at as wasteful and disrespectful of the meal. In addition, in Greece, Italy, and the Netherlands, it's polite to take only a small portion of food the first time around so you can accept a second helping, which is a compliment to the chef.
"Feta vs. Greek feta" highlights a key distinction: Greek feta is the authentic, PDO-protected cheese made in Greece from sheep's milk (or sheep/goat mix) with a distinct salty, tangy flavor and crumbly texture, while "feta" (or "fetta") sold elsewhere often uses cow's milk, resulting in milder, creamier, or different textures and flavors, but lacks the specific character of traditional Greek feta. The main difference lies in ingredients (milk type) and origin, with Greek versions being the original, regulated product.
Potential Risks of Feta Cheese
And it contains saturated fats, which you should limit to less than 10% of your daily calorie count. Excessive sodium in your diet has been shown to contribute to high blood pressure, which doctors link to ongoing health issues like kidney disease, stroke, and heart disease.
Let this list help guide your cheese choices for heart health.
A 2023 study in Nutrients found that processed dairy increases inflammatory markers in OA patients. Swap It: Choose natural dairy like feta, fresh goat cheese, or plain yogurt. Kefir, a fermented dairy drink, delivers probiotics that reduce joint inflammation, making it a top choice among foods for osteoarthritis.