What differentiates Lebanese cheeses from other varieties?
Cheeses in Lebanon are mostly fresh or white due to the moderate Mediterranean climate, making them different from the refined varieties produced in European countries.
What characterizes a great Lebanese cheese, and what should a buyer pay attention to?
The greatest Lebanese cheeses I have found are those made by producers in the villages, traditional varieties such as serdeleh/anbaris and darfieh. They are made of goat’s milk and have a pungent, sharp flavor to them. It’s definitely worth a trip to the mountains to taste these cheeses.
How are local cheeses being used in cooking?
The most popular Lebanese cheese to cook with is halloum. It is often grilled in a hot pan. Often, chefs are adding spices, such as zaatar or dukah, to the cheese just before serving it with fresh seasonal vegetables.
What cheese trends do you expect to see in the local market?
I wouldn’t say it’s a new trend per se, but the use of domestic cheeses over foreign imports is definitely on the rise.
Which providers have you noticed currently offering great selections of Lebanese cheeses?
I am very excited about Hadwane’s new location in Zalka, Mount Lebanon. I believe the quality of their products is excellent and consistent. Taanayel Farms and Gout Blanc also offer great selections.
Barbara Massaad,
Cookbook author,
Food consultant,
President of Slow Food Beirut
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About author
Rita Ghantous
Rita Ghantous is a hospitality aficionado and a passionate writer with over 9 years’ experience in journalism and 5 years experience in the hospitality sector. Her passion for the performance arts and writing, started early. At 10 years old she was praised for her solo performance of the Beatles song “All My Love” accompanied by a guitarist, and was approached by a French talent scout during her school play. However, her love for writing was stronger. Fresh out of school, she became a freelance journalist for Noun Magazine and was awarded the Silver Award Cup for Outstanding Poetry, by The International Library of Poetry (Washington DC). She studied Business Management and earned a Masters degree from Saint Joseph University (USJ), her thesis was published in the Proche-Orient, Études en Management book. She then pursued a career in the hospitality industry but didn’t give up writing, that is why she launched the Four Points by Sheraton Le Verdun Newsletter. Her love for the industry and journalism led her to Hospitality Services - the organizers of the HORECA trade show in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan, as well as Salon Du Chocolat, Beirut Cooking Festival, Whisky Live and other regional shows. She is currently the Publications Executive of Hospitality News Middle East, Taste & Flavors and Lebanon Traveler. It is with ultimate devotion for her magazines that she demonstrates her hospitality savoir-faire.
