Cheese is a hugely popular ingredient that instantly makes any dish tastier and more luxurious, and makes people want to eat it even more, especially baked goods with cheese in them. Cheese is found in bakery items and many other types of food.
When it comes to cheese, most people immediately think of pizza, which is usually topped with cheese, whether for decoration or extra flavour. Cheese is also a common ingredient in baked goods. This may leave you wondering whether the cheese we eat so often comes in more than one type. Today we look at the types of cheese used in baking.
The Main Types of Cheese
There are many different cheeses, each used in its own way, but they can be divided into four types.
1. Very Hard Cheese
The first type is very hard and is aged for longer than most cheeses. Examples include Parmigiano Reggiano and Parmesan.
2. Hard Cheese
The next type is less hard, and we see it often. Examples include Cheddar, Edam and Gouda.
3. Semi-Soft Cheese
A softer cheese that we see and use often is Mozzarella, the stretchy cheese on top of pizza. Blue cheese, famous for its very strong smell, is another one many people know.
4. Soft Cheese
Soft cheese is cheese with a high moisture content.
Cheeses Used in Baking
1. Cream Cheese
This first cheese is classed with butter. It is called cream cheese because it is not aged at all, which gives it a soft texture. It must be kept in the fridge because it has a very short shelf life and high moisture content. It has a slightly sour taste and is commonly used to make cheesecake.
2. Mascarpone Cheese
Mascarpone is classed as a semi-soft cheese. It is soft, with a well-balanced tangy and slightly salty flavour and a mellow sweetness from the milk. It is most often used to make tiramisu.
3. Ricotta Cheese
Ricotta is classed as a soft, high-moisture cheese and is very creamy. It is mostly used for pancakes, lasagne and other sweet dishes.
4. Cheddar Cheese
Many people class this cheese with butter because it is very hard. Cheddar is a must-have at home because it works in so many dishes, whether grated over salads or sprinkled over dishes that are cooked with heat.
5. Mozzarella Cheese
Mozzarella is a cheese everyone knows well. It is often used to top or fill dishes because of its stretchiness, and we see it most of all on pizza.
