feta cheese

Feta cheese is a type of brined white cheese traditionally made from sheep's milk or a mixture of sheep and goat milk. It has a crumbly texture and a white appearance, emitting a distinct cheesy aroma with notable tangy and salty notes. The name 'feta' denotes this particular cheese variety originating from Greek dairy traditions. The compound profile responsible for its characteristic flavor includes various organic acids and peptides. Feta cheese is recognized in food science databases such as PubChem. It is sourced primarily through fermentation and brining processes applied to milk, defining its organoleptic and physicochemical attributes. These attributes make feta cheese a unique sensory ingredient in food formulations.

Feta cheese occurs naturally as a traditional dairy product from ovine and caprine milk sources prepared by specific fermentation and maturation processes. It is primarily used as a food additive to impart characteristic cheesy, salty, and tangy flavors to various culinary formulations. Its applications span salads, culinary dishes, and processed foods where a feta influence is desirable. Regulatory frameworks such as FEMA (US) guide usage levels and safety considerations for flavor-related additives. However, current available data indicates feta cheese is not recommended for standalone flavor or fragrance use as a concentrated additive. Its culinary utility focuses on direct inclusion rather than isolated flavor extraction.

The physico-chemical properties of feta cheese, including its moisture content, salt concentration, and acidity, strongly influence its shelf life, texture, and flavor release in formulations. Its crumbly texture arises from the coagulation of milk proteins and subsequent brining, which also introduces a high saline environment. The acidity contributes to both preservation and the characteristic sharp flavor profile. These properties affect solubility, stability, and interaction with other food components when used as an additive. Understanding these parameters assists in optimizing feta cheese's incorporation into products without compromising sensory or structural integrity.

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FDA Listing of Food Additive Status:	View
Wikipedia:	View

Safety information

Hazards identification
Classification of the substance or mixture
GHS Classification in accordance with 29 CFR 1910 (OSHA HCS)
None found.
GHS Label elements, including precautionary statements
Pictogram
Hazard statement(s)
None found.
Precautionary statement(s)
None found.
Oral/Parenteral Toxicity:
Not determined
Dermal Toxicity:
Not determined
Inhalation Toxicity:
Not determined

Safety in use information

Category:
food additive
Recommendation for feta cheese usage levels up to:
	not for fragrance use.
Recommendation for feta cheese flavor usage levels up to:
	not for flavor use.

Safety references

None found