If you’re a cheese connoisseur, you may have heard of the Indian cheese, famously known as paneer. But if you haven’t yet, get ready to learn more. You may be wondering: what does paneer cheese taste like? Is it cheesy? Is it pungent? Well, we’re here to answer!
The word that best describes the taste of paneer cheese is neutral. Unlike the other varieties of cheese, it tastes milky and buttery. While some find it bland, others love its taste because of its mild and slightly tangy flavor. Paneer is a versatile and potent kitchen ingredient that combines well with spices and condiments.
If you’re eager to know more about the taste profile of Paneer cheese, read this article. We have covered all about paneer, its taste, texture, and close substitutes.
What Does Paneer Cheese Taste Like?
The flavor of paneer cheese is milky and creamy, much like cottage cheese and ricotta cheese. However, the taste may vary depending on where it’s from. Store-bought paneer cheese has an almost neutral flavor. Whereas fresh and homemade paneer tastes slightly tangy but is impressive nonetheless.
When you compare the taste of paneer with regular cream cheese, it’s slightly sourer. This is because of the higher water level content in the paneer. But the overall flavor profile remains creamy, buttery, and mild.
Paneer has an almost bland flavor because of the lower salt content it has when compared with other varieties of cheese. Yeah, you should also know that it also has lower salt levels than cream cheese!
But there are ways to enhance the taste of Paneer cheese. British chef Jamie Oliver says the dense and crumbly paneer works well when tossed in spicy, solid flavors. Also, since it’s highly flexible, you can add your desired flavoring ingredient and sauces to make paneer more delectable.
With a neutral to mild flavor and a firm texture, paneer is a kitchen staple you can use in several cuisines, Indian or otherwise.
The fluffy and soft cheese comes in a firm but easily sliceable block. Texture-wise, it resembles tofu and keeps its structure even when exposed to high heat.
You can enjoy this white cheese as an appetizer, meal, or even breakfast snack! In addition, it’s arguably an essential cooking ingredient, especially in Indian cuisine.
Is Paneer Cheese Similar To Mozzarella?
The only similarity between Mozzarella and Paneer cheese is their delicate, milky flavors. If you’d like a close-enough flavor profile, you may use mozzarella instead of paneer. But when it comes to texture, they’re poles apart!
The technique of making mozzarella and paneer is quite alike; however, the two differ in taste and texture. Unlike mozzarella, paneer does not contain rennet. So while the preparation process is similar, the result is much different!
For a starting point, mozzarella is well-acclaimed for its creamy and rich texture and delicate flavor. On the other hand, paneer is a firm and semi-solid cheese that’s not quite juicy.
Compared to mozzarella’s rich and moist taste, paneer seems a bit bland, especially when you have it as it is. The former is also known to have a creamier, stringy, and overall better texture.
What Is Paneer Cheese Similar To?
While Americans may not be familiar with paneer, there are plenty of fresh varieties of cheese that work as close substitutes. The closest alternatives to paneer, in terms of flavor and texture, are cottage and ricotta cheese.
Besides these, you can also choose between fresh halloumi, mozzarella, Panela, and queso fresco. If you’re vegan, you may look into tofu or almond cheese. Panela holds its shape when grilled like paneer, and the texture is also pretty identical.
The Cyprus Anari and unsalted feta are also two excellent substitutes to work with!
Since paneer has a mild flavor, opt for the unsalted varieties to get similar taste results.
Does Paneer Cheese Taste Like Halloumi?
The Cypriot halloumi bears a close resemblance to paneer cheese in terms of texture. Since it has a high melting point, it holds its shape when exposed to heat, much like paneer. The best part is that both go well with spices and herbs like cumin, chili flakes, ginger, garlic, and more!
Halloumi cheese is loved by many for its ability to hold its structure, even after grilling and frying. It tastes well over salad and pilaf and is a flavorful cheese overall. Therefore, if needed, you may replace paneer with halloumi to get a close-enough texture profile!
Conclusion
The tenfold increase in paneer’s popularity amongst vegetarians is simply because of how protein-rich it is. Most importantly, according to a healthcare company, this cheese is excellent for promoting bone and teeth health! Moreover, with a texture similar to meat, you can substitute paneer for poultry or red meat in several recipes to get a wholesome meal!
Its characteristic feature is the neutral, milky flavor and non-melting texture. As a result, it’s a versatile cooking tool that does well in absorbing flavors while retaining its dense and crumbly texture.
If you’re unable to find this cheese at your local store, you may try mozzarella, tofu, or halloumi cheese, as they work well as paneer substitutes!