Unlike crackers, chips and various snacks, pigtail cheese is completely safe for human health. But in the pursuit of a high-quality product, more and more often comes the understanding that cheese is different. After all, sometimes the one that is made in the form of a pigtail attracts with a pleasant smoked aroma, and sometimes it can not be called anything other than rubber. Why is this happening? Let's try to figure it all out together.
Pigtail cheese has another name - "chechil". Translated from the Armenian language means "confused." Not everyone knows that this fiber cheese is a national dish in Armenia. It is made exclusively by hand, and its consistency strongly resembles another popular type - suluguni. However, in the store such cheese is simply recognized. It consists of fibrous threads, tightened together in bundles. In general, the cheese resembles a pigtail, which is quite clear from its name.
I must say that the “pigtails” of fibrous threads are not braided for beauty. He is responsible for the quality of the finished product. Indeed, the beneficial properties of milk raw materials, nutritious juices and trace elements useful for humans are much better preserved. Chechil should be consumed by those people who lack calcium or are on a fairly strict diet. Calorie cheese has a calorie content of 282 kcal per 100 g of product. In this amount of product there are: 19.5 g of fat, 21.6 g of protein and about 1.6 g of carbohydrates. It would seem that in moderation. But do not forget that Chechil contains a lot of salt, and, as you know, it retains fluid in the body, causing the formation of edema. Therefore, one must not overdo it.
Chechil is produced in portions, that is, in bunches, the weight of which reaches 5 kg. When selling from each bundle, the required number of grams of cheese is carefully cut. The technology of its manufacture is complex. Before being on the shelves of grocery stores and supermarkets, pigtail cheese passes a kind of quality check. Its thinnest threads should easily pass through the eye of the needle. Otherwise, such a product can hardly be called cheese.
The pigtail cheese composition has the following: table salt, bacterial sourdough, as well as milk (sheep, cow or goat). Such information is usually indicated on the label. Often manufacturers use calcium chloride. It allows you to form a cheese clot. If you saw that this component is part of the product, then do not worry, because it is considered a safe food supplement.
Pigtail cheese can have a different color, ranging from milky white and ending with a slightly yellowish tint. If in the store you find cheese of a bright and even aggressive hue, then in no case should you buy it. Indeed, a bright color indicates the use of dyes. In conclusion, I would like to say a few words about the expiration date. Ordinary shekel is stored for 60 days, and smoked - all 75 days. If the label indicates a longer period, then this cheese was made with the addition of synthetic preservatives.