A Definition
Cottage cheese is a fresh cheese with a mild, slightly acidic flavor and small curds. Cottage cheese is part of the family of fresh cheeses that are rindless and not intended to be ripened or aged in order to develop flavor.
The Facts
Cottage cheese is thought to be the first cheese made in America. For centuries, farmers in Europe made fresh farmhouse cheeses with naturally soured milk, after separating the curds from the whey. Immigrants to America brought the tradition of fresh cheesemaking with them and by the mid-1800s the term cottage cheese entered the American vocabulary. Cottage cheese is sold both plain and with added flavorings such as fruit and herbs.
The Process
Cottage cheese is made by adding an acid to pasteurized milk which causes a separation of the milk solids from the whey. This can be done by adding a bacterial culture that produces lactic acid or a food-grade acid such as vinegar. After the curd is formed, it is gently cut into pieces that allow additional whey to drain from the curds. The curds are further cooked and pressed gently to expel more whey. The curds are rinsed and salt is added.
Storage and Handling
- Store cottage cheese in its closed container in the refrigerator, which is typically set at 38˚F-40˚F.
- All cottage cheese products are stamped with a “sell by” date, which refers to how long the retail store can keep the product for sale on the shelf.
- If any mold forms on the surface of the cottage cheese, discard it immediately.
Nutrition
Cottage cheese is high in protein and is a good source of riboflavin. Although it contains calcium, much of it is lost in the separation of whey. Some cottage cheese products are fortified with calcium.
| Nutrient Content of Cottage Cheese (per 4-ounce serving)* |
|---|
| Calories | Milkfat
(g) | Protein
(g) | Carbohydrates
(g) | Calcium
(mg) | Riboflavin
(mg) | Cholesterol
(mg) |
Creamed
(4% fat) | 117 | 5 | 14 | 3 | 68 | 0.18 | 17 |
|---|
Low-fat
(2% fat) | 101 | 2 | 15 | 4 | 77 | 0.21 | 9.5 |
|---|
Nonfat
(dry curd) | 96 | 0.5 | 19.5 | 2.1 | 36 | 0.16 | 8 |
|---|
*Nutrient Data Laboratory Home Page, http://www.nal.gov/fnic/foodcomp
Cooking with Cottage Cheese
Because of its light, fresh character, cottage cheese is often eaten in salads with fresh fruit and vegetables and as a healthy, convenient, high-protein snack. Cottage cheese can be used in place of cream cheese or ricotta cheese in dips, casseroles, pancakes and desserts. The unique curds can provide an interesting texture to pastry dough or can be blended to a smoother texture before adding to a recipe such as classic Coeur à la Crème.
Glossary of Terms
Creamed Cottage Cheese is made by combining nonfat cottage cheese with a light cream dressing. Creamed cottage cheese contains at least 4 percent milkfat, comparable to whole milk.
Low-Fat Cottage Cheese is made by combining nonfat cottage cheese with a light cream dressing made of 0.5, 1.5 or 2 percent milkfat.
Nonfat Cottage Cheese, or dry curd cottage cheese, is made from nonfat milk and contains no more than 0.5 grams milkfat per serving.
Baker’s Cheese or farmers cheese are forms of cottage cheese from which most of the liquid has been pressed. It is mild in flavor and firm enough to slice or crumble and is used primarily in cooking and baking.
Sources
California Department of Food and Agriculture
Herbst, Sharon Tyler. Food Lover’s Companion, Third Edition. New York: Barron’s, 2001
McGee, Harold. On Food and Cooking. New York: Scribner, 2005
National Dairy Council
FAQs
This fad diet provides quick weight loss by using cottage cheese as the basis for your meals. While it is safe for most people to eat cottage cheese every day, it should not be consumed to the extent that you exclude other food groups. Also, some types of cottage cheese contain high amounts of sodium and/or sugar.
Is pressed cottage cheese the same as dry cottage cheese? ›
Language Notes. Pressed cry cottage cheese is called, in some regions, Dry-Curd Cottage Cheese, Dry Curd Farmer Cheese, Farmer's Cheese, or Baker's Cheese. The term “Farmer's Cheese”, though, can be confusing, as it's used to describe many different cheeses in many different places.
What type of cottage cheese is healthiest? ›
Fat-free, 1% and 2% fat cottage cheese have less saturated fat and fewer calories than the 4% fat variety, which includes cream. Lower fat varieties also generally have slightly more protein.
Is farmers cheese pressed cottage cheese? ›
What is farmer's cheese? Farmer's cheese, a fresh cheese variety, is a pressed cottage cheese that is slightly more acidic and has a firmer texture, thanks to a lower moisture content. Farmer's cheese can be made from the milk of cows, sheep, or goats and can be rolled in different herbs or seasonings for extra flavor.
When should you not eat cottage cheese? ›
Although it is good for you, cottage cheese is high in sodium. It isn't great for people with high blood pressure, heart disease or congestive heart failure.
Why eat cottage cheese before bed? ›
Here's where metabolic magic happens: The amount of muscle our body has is one of the primary drivers in determining how many calories we burn each day. "Other research supports that cottage cheese before bed actually does increase metabolism the next morning," Reaver says.
Should you drain cottage cheese? ›
Once the curds are firmed up well and the curds settled on the bottom. Ladle as much whey off the top as possible, then the dry curds can now be transferred to a colander lined with butter muslin. They should be allowed to drain for 10 minutes and a gentle stirring will make sure that the whey drains off.
Which is better for you low-fat cottage cheese or regular cottage cheese? ›
“To get the most bang for your buck, choose a low-fat or even full-fat cottage cheese,” Zumpano advises. “Nonfat cottage cheese may sound like a good idea, but it contains less protein and won't be as satisfying.” Full-fat cottage has 1.5 grams more of saturated fat when compared to 2% but can be the most satisfying.
How to store pressed cottage cheese? ›
Once you've opened cottage cheese, it'll stay good in the fridge for seven to 10 days. Don't leave it on the counter! This is not a cheese to play fast and loose with. But there is a neat, very easy trick to prolonging its shelf life — just store it upside down.
What is California style cottage cheese? ›
Companies have code words for the size of their curds and the texture of their product. California-style (Friendship, a New York dairy, uses this expression) refers to a drier cottage cheese, Vermont-style (as in Cabot Creamery) refers to a creamy mixture with defined curds.
Cottage cheese contains more protein than two eggs.
And that's just the protein in a personal-size cup of the stuff (5.3 oz)—in that size, those wannabe trendy cottage cheeses are weighing in at 16 to 19 grams of protein; eggs have about 6 g each.
What's better, Greek yogurt or cottage cheese? ›
So far, these two high-protein snacks are neck in neck when considering protein, calcium and calories. But one clear distinction steers the choice: Cottage cheese can be loaded with sodium. Just 1 cup of cottage cheese can deliver 8 to 9 times the sodium found in Greek yogurt.
Is pressed cottage cheese good for you? ›
Cottage cheese is an excellent source of calcium, a mineral that plays a major role in tooth and bone health, and in the prevention of osteoporosis. It also helps you to regulate your blood pressure and might even play a role in preventing certain cancers, such as prostate cancer.
Which cottage cheese is not runny? ›
Good Culture Cottage Cheese Organic 4% Whole Milk Classic, 16 oz. When it comes to texture, Good Culture is a far cry from the goopiness of other cottage cheeses. “It's a lot less runny, so the curds stir into the liquid in a smoother way,” Kelsey says.
What is smooth cottage cheese called? ›
Quark cheese is very smooth, similar to cottage cheese, which consists of distinct curds.
Is cottage cheese healthier than yogurt? ›
Is cottage cheese or yogurt better for you? Both cottage cheese and yogurt are excellent options for a healthy snack. Snodgrass finds it hard to choose, but she thinks there may be a slight winner. “Cottage cheese does however have a modest advantage in terms of a little less sugar than yogurt.
How much cottage cheese should I eat a day for weight? ›
That said, up to 3 servings (equivalent to 300 grams) of cottage cheese is a good amount to support weight loss, along with other healthy foods in your diet.
Is cottage cheese a highly processed food? ›
Cottage Cheese Is a Versatile Processed Food. Many people are rightfully confused as to what makes a food product or beverage processed. Processes such as pasteurizing milk, canning fruits and vegetables, and vacuum packing meats help prevent spoilage and increase overall food safety.
Which cottage cheese has probiotics? ›
The only way to tell if a particular cottage cheese is cultured is by reading the label. Lopez recommends looking for the words “live and active cultures” on the label or the ingredient list for certain strains of probiotics such as Lactobacillus, L. Casei, and B. bifidum.
