What is Paneer Cheese? | What Does Paneer Cheese Taste Like? | Fresco (2024)

Paneer is a fresh cheese commonly used in South Asian cuisine, especially so in Indian, Pakistani, Afghan, Nepali, Sri Lankan, and Bangladeshi dishes. Sometimes known as ‘Indian cottage cheese’, paneer is an important source of protein for vegetarians and is used in a variety of Indian dishes such as palak paneer, matar paneer, and channa masala. It’s also a popular filling for flatbreads such as paratha and puri.

Based on the Gold Coast, Fresco is a fresh cheese maker determined to bring you authentic, traditional, and hand-made cheese. If you’re interested in tasting paneer cheese but don’t know where to start or what type of cheese it is, continue reading to find out what is paneer cheese.

What is Paneer Cheese? The History

If you’re wondering what is paneer and how did it influence the cuisine of one country, let us explain. India has always had a tradition of using dairy products in their cuisine, thanks to the large number of cattle that are raised in the country. Paneer’s presence in India is a little unclear, with the first mention dating back to the 12th century when Amir Khusrow, a poet and musician from India, documented the process of making the cheese. Paneer cheese then became more widely known in the 16th century when it was mentioned by Akbar, the Mughal Emperor.

Some credit Portuguese colonisers settling in Kolkata (also known as Calcutta) for introducing paneer to India, dating to the 17th century. Others theorise that there are connections to Persia as the word ‘paneer’ is derived from the Persian word ‘panir’, which generally means cheese.

How is Paneer Cheese Made?

Now that we’ve answered ‘what is paneer cheese’, let’s explore how it’s made. Paneer can be made with buffalo milk, goat milk, sheep milk or cow’s milk. Although it is similar to cottage cheese, paneer is usually made without rennet and therefore has a different texture. Paneer is made by curdling milk with a food acid, usually lemon juice, vinegar, or citric acid. The curds are then drained of their whey, traditionally by hanging them in a muslin cloth, and pressed into a block.

Paneer is a fresh cheese, so it does not need to be aged. However, some brands of paneer are aged for a few months to give them a sharper flavour. It also remains fresh far longer than other cheeses made with rennet and will not melt when cooked. It has a crumbly texture when raw but becomes soft when cooked or simmered in gravy.

What Does Paneer Cheese Taste Like?

By looking at paneer cheese, you may think it would taste a lot like fetta, salty and tangy. In fact, paneer has no salt content. Paneer is milky, fresh, and very mild in taste. Paneer is firm in texture and is closer in taste to cottage cheese and Italian ricotta and is easily adapted to any recipe.

Common Uses of Paneer

Now you know how paneer is prepared and what it tastes like, but what recipes best feature paneer? Paneer is a versatile cheese that can be used in sweet or savoury dishes and can be grilled, roasted, or fried, and is usually cooked rather than eaten raw. It is often used as a filling for flatbreads or cooked in gravy and is included in curries, salads, and sandwiches.

Paneer is the perfect meat substitute for vegetarians as it is an excellent source of protein and calcium, and it is low in fat and cholesterol. Anyone looking for a healthy, low-fat alternative to other cheese should opt for paneer.

Understanding what does paneer cheese taste like can help you choose between your next recipes. Here are some recipes you can use paneer cheese in:

Paneer Manchurian

Paneer Manchurian is an Indo-Chinese recipe, blending the creamy paneer compliments the sweet and spicy Manchurian sauce. Our recipe features the dry version of the dish where the paneer is pan-friend rather than deep fried, and the perfect starter dish to enjoy before your favourite Indian meal.

Palak Paneer

Palak paneer is a vegetarian curry dish consisting of paneer cooked in a thick paste of spinach, sauteed tomatoes and onions. It’s a highly nutritional dish, low in carbs and packed with protein. Make this dish your main course and serve it with a side of roti, naan or rice.

Shahi Paneer

A popular dish in northern India is the shahi paneer. Known for its creamy and spicy taste, this dish is warm and comforting and filled with aromatic flavours such as ginger, onion, garlic, and saffron, among others.

Buy Local Paneer Cheese

For more information on what is paneer, visit the Paneer Cheese page for a range of Fresco’s hand-made paneer cheese. If you’d like to buy paneer cheese from our cheese outlet, get in touch with Fresco Cheese directly by calling (07) 5520 1666. Alternatively, reach out via the online form.

What is Paneer Cheese? | What Does Paneer Cheese Taste Like? | Fresco (2024)

FAQs

What is Paneer Cheese? | What Does Paneer Cheese Taste Like? | Fresco? ›

By looking at paneer cheese, you may think it would taste a lot like fetta, salty and tangy. In fact, paneer has no salt content. Paneer is milky, fresh, and very mild in taste. Paneer is firm in texture and is closer in taste to cottage cheese and Italian ricotta and is easily adapted to any recipe.

What is paneer called in English? ›

Although many Indians translate "paneer" into "cottage cheese", cottage cheese is made using rennet extracted from the stomach of ruminants, and cow's skim milk.

Does paneer taste like cream cheese? ›

Also, while making cream cheese, more acidic component is used so as to give a slight tang to the final product. This is not the case with Paneer which has a more neutral taste to the palette. Due to these two main differences, Paneer cannot be used in place of cream cheese for baking purposes.

What is the taste and texture of paneer? ›

Paneer must be uniform and have a pleasing white appearance with a greenish tinge when made from buffalo milk and light yellow when made from cow milk. Paneer is characterized by a mild acidic flavour with slightly sweet taste, and a soft, cohesive and compact texture.

How do you eat paneer? ›

Just dice some paneer cubes into a pan, toss it with some olive oil, add chilli flakes or crushed pepper, some salt, and you are good to go. In short, a yummy on-the-go snack for your tummy in a jiffy. You can also use it as a filling for your sandwiches or replace the aalo patties in your burgers.

Is paneer good or bad for you? ›

Consuming paneer daily can have numerous health benefits, including providing high-quality protein, improving bone health, aiding in weight loss, boosting immunity, and promoting heart health. However, it is important to consume it in moderation and choose low-fat options.

Which cheese is closest to paneer? ›

Halloumi Cheese

Halloumi is a semi-hard cheese usually made with sheep's or goat's milk. It has a similar firmness to paneer. It's known for its ability to hold its shape when cooked, making it a suitable replacement in certain recipes.

Does paneer cheese taste good? ›

By looking at paneer cheese, you may think it would taste a lot like fetta, salty and tangy. In fact, paneer has no salt content. Paneer is milky, fresh, and very mild in taste. Paneer is firm in texture and is closer in taste to cottage cheese and Italian ricotta and is easily adapted to any recipe.

What is paneer called in the USA? ›

Likely originating in India, paneer is also known as Indian cottage cheese. You might find that the mild taste of paneer reminds you of American cottage cheese.

Does paneer taste sweet? ›

Made by curdling milk and separating the whey, paneer is a fresh and unaged cheese widely used in various dishes, both savory and sweet. Paneer's mild and creamy taste makes it a perfect canvas for absorbing flavors and spices, making it an ideal ingredient for Indian curries.

What does paneer cheese taste like? ›

Paneer has a mild, milky flavour and a dense crumbly texture that goes beautifully well with strong spicy flavours used in many classic Indian dishes. Because it won't melt like other cheeses, chunks of it can be stirred into soups or curries and remain intact.

Is paneer tastier than tofu? ›

In terms of what tastes better, tofu absorbs flavour better than paneer does. While they're both known to take in the flavours of the food, sauces, and seasonings they're cooked in, tofu does it better, making for a tastier protein option.

Is paneer chewy? ›

This cheese won't melt or get gooey the way mozzarella or cheddar will, but with paneer, this is actually an advantage. Because it won't melt, we can stir chunks into a soup or creamy curry, crumble it over flatbreads, or even skewer cubes onto kebabs and the cheese will keep its shape and chewy texture.

Can you eat paneer cheese on its own? ›

You can eat paneer as a snack, incorporate it into your favorite Indian dishes or enjoy over breakfast. And while cheese might not seem like a common breakfast item, don't knock it until you've tried it!

What is the right time to eat paneer? ›

However, it is generally recommended to have paneer during the day or early evening, rather than at night, as it is a rich source of protein and can be heavy to digest. Paneer can be consumed as a main dish, snack, or as an ingredient in other dishes like curries, sandwiches, or salads.

Do you need to cook paneer before eating? ›

Absolutely not! The thing is, raw paneer has a tendency to fall apart when added to a sauce. By frying the cubed paneer, you create a crispy crust to the cheese which helps it retain its shape when cooked into a hot curry sauce.

Is cottage cheese and paneer the same? ›

Production methods are similar to that of cottage cheese, except that paneer tends not to be salted, and the curdled milk is typically pressed to remove the whey rather than allowing it to drain, giving it a more compact texture.

Which cheese is called paneer? ›

Paneer is an Indian cheese that's made from curdled milk and some sort of fruit or vegetable acid like lemon juice. There are some distinct traits that make Paneer the cheese that it is: It's an unaged cheese. It's a soft cheese.

Is paneer called ricotta cheese? ›

Originally Answered: Is ricotta cheese and paneer the same? No paneer is made from whole milk where as ricotta cheese is made from whey. whey is made from whole milk. when whole milk is coagulate with acid then 99% protein ( which later known paneer) is coagulate and separate but about 1% protein left in whey .

Is paneer called cottage cheese? ›

Cottage cheese (Paneer) is one of the staple foods in India. It is the case that is used for different Indian recipies such as Paneer Makhani, Shahi Paneer, Palak Paneer and so on. It is one of the basis of Indian curry/gravies.

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