| Country of Origin | Greece |
| Region | Crete (Chania) |
| AOP/PDO | Since 1996 |
| Classification | Fresh cheese, soft |
| Rind | Rindless |
| Milk | Raw unpasteurized goat’s and/or sheep’s milk |
| Fat content | 8% |
| Taste | Herbaceous, a hint of saltiness and sourness, milky aftertaste |
| Aroma | Fresh, aroma is kinda similar to Greek yogurt |
| Pairing | Toast, bread, cracker, crispbread, dacos (Creten salad), pies |
| Beverage pairing | Greek wine, raki, ouzo |
| Texture | Creamy, compact |
| Color | White |
This ancestral cheese (also known as Chaniotiki Mizithra) is made in the region of Chania, located in the western portion of the island of Crete, where it is used for making the local cake bougatsa chanion.
Pichtogalo Chanion belongs to the ‘xynomizithra‘ and ‘ksigalo‘ cheese family that are also produced in the locality.
The Production of Pichtogalo Chanion
This soft and rindless cheese is produced at the same location where the free-range animals graze the local plants in Chania, Crete.
Mostly made in houses of breeders using traditional methods that has been passed down by their ancestors.
Cheeses are produced in special rooms (called mitata) which are uniquely designed to maintain ideal temperature and humidity (max humidity of 65%) for the cheese to age in.
It is made with unpasteurized goat’s or sheep’s milk (or the combination of both).
Pichtogalo Chanion Tasting Notes
Soft with a creamy texture, Pichtogalo Chanion offers fresh and herbaceous aromas marked by a touch of saltiness.
How to Enjoy (PAIRING)
This white table cheese is incredibly versatile. It can be easily spread on toast, bread, crispbread or even on plain cracker for a quick delicious snack.
Locals often include Pichtogalo Chanion cheese in their salad (dacos), in breakfast pastry (bougatsa), and a traditional pie called kolokithompoureki. It is also often paired with mouth-watering pies such as mushroom pie, onion pie, pumpkin pie, and aubergine pie.
Our favorite wholegrain crispbread to pair with Pichtogalo Chanion:
- WASA WHOLE GRAIN CRISPBREAD: Crispy, airy and full of flavor, savor 30 calorie per serving WASA Whole Grain crispbread as a great alternative to bread and crackers
- WHOLE GRAIN CRISPBREAD: Made with only three simple, all-natural ingredients 100% whole grain rye flour, yeast and salt, for a deliciously wholesome taste and texture
- ONLY 30 CALORIES PER SERVING: WASA Whole Grain crispbread is all-natural, fat free (no saturated fat and 0g trans fat), cholesterol free and Kosher certified; Made with 100% whole grain for 13g of whole grain and 3g of fiber per serving
- NON-GMO PROJECT VERIFIED CRACKERS: These fiber crispbreads are made with Non-GMO ingredients and are a great alternative to crackers; Product of Sweden
- WHOLE GRAIN CRACKERS: Layer your favorite toppings on WASA crispbread for smart and satisfying snacks Replace bread with fiber crispbreads for a creative and wholesome breakfast or open faced sandwich at lunch
More Cheeses From Greece:
Last update on 2023-06-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API