Cretan Xynomyzithra PDO by Kalogeraki is a soft whey cheese produced from sheep’s and goat’s milk, enriched with fresh milk and made exclusively from raw materials sourced within Crete in accordance with PDO regulations. It represents the sour variant of mizithra, characterized by a pronounced acidity that develops through natural fermentation while still retaining a delicate and fresh dairy profile.

The texture is soft, moist, and slightly granular, without a defined shape, reflecting its high moisture content and minimal pressing. Its flavor is distinctly tangy with a clean lactic sharpness and a mildly salty finish, offering a more intense profile compared to sweet mizithra.

The composition typically includes whey, added milk and cream from sheep and goats, along with lactic cultures and salt, resulting in a balanced structure that supports both freshness and light maturation. In culinary use, it is closely associated with traditional Cretan dishes such as dakos with tomato and olive oil, as well as pies like myzithropita and sarikopita, where its acidity provides contrast and depth.

It can also be paired with honey, highlighting its versatility across savory and lightly sweet applications.