| Sirene | |
|---|---|
 Sirene cubes | |
| Other names | White cheese |
| Country of origin | Bulgaria |
| Source of milk | Goat, sheep, cow, buffalo |
| Pasteurised | Depends on variety |
| Texture | Depends on variety |
| Aging time | Min. 3 months |
| Certification | PDO: 2023 |
 Related media on Commons | |
Sirene (Bulgarian: сирене [ˈsirɛnɛ]; Serbian: сир/sir; Macedonian: сирење; Albanian: djathë i bardhë), also known as "white brine sirene" (Bulgarian: бяло саламурено сирене), is a type of brined cheese originating from Bulgaria. It is made of the milk of goats, sheep, cows, buffalo or a mixture thereof.[1] It is slightly crumbly, with at least 46–48% of dry matter containing 44–48% of fat.[2] It is commonly produced in blocks, and has a slightly grainy texture. It is used as a table cheese, in salads, and in baking.
In 2023, the name "Bulgarsko byalo salamureno sirene" was registered as a protected designation of origin in the European Union.[3]
- ^ , "Characteristics of major traditional regional cheese varieties of East-Mediterranean countries: a review", Efstathios Alichanidis & Anna Polychroniadou, Dairy Sciеnce & Technology, Volume 88, Number 4–5, July–October 2008
- ^ "The Bulgarian Institute for Standardization BDS 15:2010". The Bulgarian Institute for Standardization (BDS).
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|url=(help) - ^ "eAmbrosia". European Commission. 2023-07-31. Retrieved 2023-07-31.