Top 33 Whey Cheeses
in the World

Anthotyro is a Greek cheese made from goat’s and sheep’s milk. The name anthotyro means flowery cheese, referring to the strong aromas of wild herbs. There are two varieties of this cheese – fresh and dry. The fresh variety is known as anthotyro fresco and has a soft texture and mild flavor. It is typically consumed as a table cheese or used in the preparation of pastries and pies. Combine it with honey and fresh fruits such as apples, pears, and figs. The dry variety, known as anthotyro xero has a rich, salty flavor and a crumbly texture. It is recommended to consume it as a table cheese or grate it over pasta (especially spaghetti) and salads.Expand

Ricotta di Bufala Campana is a product obtained through the processing of the 'first whey' (sweet) obtained in the cheese-making process which uses milk from the Mediterranea Italiana buffalo breed. The production area is within the provinces of Benevento, Caserta, Naples and Salerno in Campania; the provinces of Frosinone, Latina and Rome in the Lazio region; the Province of Foggia in the Apulia region and Isernia in the Molise region. Since the arrival of buffalo in Southern Italy in the XVI century, the production of Ricotta di Bufala Campana and Mozzarella di Bufala Campana has been very closely linked. Ricotta di Bufala Campana is different from other ricotta cheeses due to its creamy consistency, softness, color and sweet milky aromas, characteristics which are given to the fact that buffalo whey is richer in fats and free from lipase, an enzyme that can influence the sensory properties of fat. The ricotta is porcelain white, rindless, with a grainy but not sandy consistency that is soft and creamy. The flavor is characteristic, fresh and slightly sweet, whilst the aroma is reminiscent of milk and cream. It can be eaten on its own or used as an ingredient in many recipes and stuffed dishes. The product is generally used to prepare local sweet and savory dishes from the Neapolitan cuisine. Amongst the most famous recipes, there is the Pastiera Napoletana, a typical Easter cake.Expand

This soft table cheese is made from whey from the processing of Graviera or Kefalotyri Kritis cheeses and the addition of sheep or goat milk, or a mixture of the two. Its name is a combination of two words – mizithra and xyno – meaning 'acidic whey cheese'. It is produced on the beautiful island of Crete in the Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion, and Lasithi prefectures, where it has been produced since the 17th century. Today, Xynomyzithra Kritis is one of the most popular cheeses made on Crete. This lovely, white, rindless cheese has a distinctive sweet and sour taste, and its texture can vary from creamy to granular. Xynomyzithra Kritis can be used in a variety of recipes, as it becomes milder and softer when cooked.Expand

Myzithra is a traditional cheese made from the whey of goat’s or sheep’s milk cheeses. It comes in three main varieties: fresh, sour, and aged. The fresh one is soft in texture and unsalted, typically shaped into eggs or balls. Its aroma is pungent, while the flavor is quite mild. Sour myzithra is prepared with sheep’s or goat’s milk, yeast, and salt, while the aged variety is hard in texture and very salty. The first two varieties are often used in baked pastries and desserts, while the aged variety is best when grated over pasta, soups, and casseroles.Expand

Manouri is a silky smooth fresh whey cheese made exclusively in the areas of Central and Western Macedonia and in Thessalia. It is a particular type of unsalted myzithra cheese known from the Byzantine period. Manouri produced in the province of Mplatsi in Macedonia is considered to be one of the best and it is made by adding milk and cream to the whey of sheep's or goat's milk, or a mixture of the both derived from hard cheese production, usually from making feta cheese. Although it is quite soft, it is firm enough to be sliced. Its flavor is similar to feta, but this cheese is less salty and more creamy. It is described as having a milky, slightly sour aroma. This cheese, cylindrical in shape, is also known as Manoypi. It is traditionally used in preparing pastries such as Spanikopita or eaten with honey or in cheesecakes.Expand

Serra da Estrela cottage cheese is a milk product obtained by heating and curdling unpasteurized sheep milk from the Churra Bordaleira and Mondegueira breeds, which are raised in the Beira littoral and interior. After heating, rennet is added to the milk to curdle it, and when it separates, it is strained and packaged in parchment immediately. Serra da Estrela cottage cheese ranges in texture from creamy to grainy. It is white and takes the shape of the vessel in which it is placed, and it has a mild and pleasant flavor and aroma.
The history of Serra da Estrela cheese is well documented. In the past, the cheese was packaged in the oldest form of packaging – it was wrapped in cabbage leaves and transported in wicker baskets. It remained a local product for a long time due to the fact that it would spoil easily in transport. Today, this cheese is popular throughout the country, and it is highly valued as an accompaniment to many traditional dishes and as a basic ingredient in regional pastries, puddings, and cakes. It is eaten fresh with a sprinkling of salt and pepper, or as a dessert mixed with honey, nuts, or traditional abóbora de doce (sweet pumpkin preserves).Expand

Ricotta di pecora, or sheep milk ricotta, is produced in many Italian regions, and each cheese has a slightly different flavor. Sicilian ricotta is seasonal, the best one is made in the period from November till May when the ewes are feeding on new grass and produce the most milk, but due to very high demand, nowadays it is also produced during the warmer months, usually using a mixture of sheep's and cow's milk. Ricotta di pecora technically isn't a cheese but a creamy curd made by reheating sheep's whey, a watery liquid that remains as a byproduct of cheesemaking – hence the name ricotta, which literary means re-cooked. A small quantity of sheep's milk can be added to whey in order to improve its softness and flavor - generally, sheep milk ricotta has a slightly richer flavor than the one made with cow milk. This soft, creamy, white latticino with a delicate flavor reminiscent of a freshly squeezed milk is widely used in cooking, it works great in both savory and sweet dishes. It can be enjoyed on its own, as an appetizer, smeared on bread, or it can be flavored with lemon juice and grated parmesan, served with pasta, gnocchi, lasagne, or, typically Sicilian, used to prepare luscious desserts - paired with chunks of chocolate, candied fruits or nuts, ricotta di pecora is what gives that distinctive taste to cannoli, cassata, or sfinci.Expand

Ricotta salata is the saltier, aged version of the famous fresh ricotta. This Italian cheese hails from Sicily and it's made from sheep's milk whey. The cheese is salted, formed into a wheel, then aged for about 3 months. The texture is creamy, but firm and the flavors are salty, mild, and nutty. Ricotta salata can be crumbled, grated, and even sliced. And anywhere you'd usually use feta cheese, try ricotta salata instead.Expand

Ricotta di bufala is an Italian cheese made from full-fat water buffalo's milk and the whey from mozzarella di bufala. The texture is firm, fluffy, creamy, and grainy. The aromas are rich and fresh, while the flavors are subtle and slightly sweet. The mouthfeel is creamy, smooth, bitter-sweet, and citrusy. This cheese is ideal for desserts such as cheesecakes and cannoli. It's recommended to pair it with a glass of sparkling wine.Expand

Requeijão da Beira Baixa is a cottage cheese from the region of Beira Baixa. The raw goat/sheep milk is not subjected to any kind of fermentation – instead, it is heated and mixed with whey until small flakes start to appear on the surface. The cheese is then placed in traditional fine wicker baskets (known as açafates) to be distributed and sold. This cottage cheese has a soft consistency and is white and creamy with a grainy texture. The aroma is pleasant with a sweet lactic acid note, and it melts in the mouth.
It makes a delicious breakfast, it can be served as a dessert topped with sugar or cinnamon, it goes well with bread and honey or pumpkin jam (doce de abóbora), and it makes a great appetizer simply spread on sliced bread. It is also frequently used as a base for cheesecakes and cheese tarts (queijadas).Expand

Synnøve Finden is a Norwegian food company with a tradition dating back to 1928, renowned for its expertise in producing cheeses, dairy products, and plant-based dairy alternatives. Over the decades, it has developed a diverse product range - from traditional Norwegian specialties such as brunost, the distinctive caramelized whey cheese, and gulost, to various hard and semi-hard cheeses, processed cheeses, yogurts, and innovative plant-based spreads. All products are made in modern production facilities, where state-of-the-art technology is combined with a strong commitment to preserving authentic flavors and traditional methods.

The company uses only milk sourced from Norwegian farms, ensuring freshness and full traceability while supporting local agriculture. This dedication to quality and provenance is reflected in the consistently high standards of its products. By merging Norway’s rich dairy tradition with modern product development, Synnøve Finden has positioned itself as a reliable and innovative brand.

It is present in both domestic and international markets, attracting consumers who value authentic taste, premium ingredients, and a contemporary approach to nutrition that respects the environment and evolving dietary habits.Expand

Eleftheria Cheese is a Mumbai-based artisanal cheese producer. The company specializes in crafting various types of cheese, including feta, halloumi, and ricotta, using traditional techniques.

Eleftheria Cheese focuses on using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. It is known for holding cheese-tasting events and workshops to educate consumers about their products and the art of cheese-making.Expand

Formaggi La Quercia is a renowned cheese producer located in Guidonia Montecelio, in the Lazio region near Rome. Founded in 1921 by shepherds from the Roman countryside, the dairy has earned a reputation over the years as a producer of high-quality dairy products that blend deep tradition with modern production methods.

Although it started as a small family-run dairy, it has since become synonymous with quality cheeses, emphasizing traditional production techniques while adhering to modern food safety standards. La Quercia annually collects around 4.5 million liters of milk from carefully selected farms across five districts in the Lazio region. These farms use traditional livestock farming methods, which allows the dairy to produce high-quality dairy products.

The dairy is particularly known for its expertise in producing Ricotta Romana DOP, as well as various types of pecorino and goat cheeses, which reflect the richness and authenticity of local food. For its products, La Quercia uses only the finest raw materials, with much of the production process based on artisanal techniques. This ensures that each product has a unique and rich flavor.Expand

Biraghi is one of the largest dairy producers in Italy, with its modern production facility located in Cavallermaggiore, in the Piedmont region. The production process at Biraghi combines advanced technology with deeply rooted traditional methods, placing special emphasis on quality control and the origin of raw materials.

All products are made from 100% Italian milk sourced exclusively from local farms in Piedmont. Among the most important products is Gran Ricotta Biraghi, which undergoes a lengthy aging process under precise temperature and humidity control in specially designed rooms.

Biraghi successfully merges industrial capacity with the care typical of artisanal production, maintaining a strong focus on quality, local sourcing, and product innovation.Expand

Alta Tuscia Formaggi is a renowned Italian cheese producer based in the town of Bagnoregio, in the heart of the Lazio region. The company is known for its unique blend of traditional cheesemaking craftsmanship and modern technology, allowing it to preserve authenticity while meeting high quality standards.

Their production relies exclusively on 100% Italian milk of the highest quality, sourced from carefully selected local farms. This ensures the freshness of the raw material and supports a sustainable local supply chain.

The product range includes various types of cheese, such as aged pecorinos, flavored caciottas, and innovative creations like sheep’s milk camembert. Particularly noteworthy are the cheeses aged in caves, pits, or wine barrels, which develop distinctive aromas and character.Expand