What is The Difference Between Paneer and Cheese?

How does paneer differ from cheese?  Does this make you wonder?

Cheese and paneer are popular dairy products made using milk used by different cuisines worldwide for centuries.

But did you know that despite being made of milk, they have several distinctions in taste, texture, and applications?

In this article, we will explore several such dissimilarities to help you make an informed decision regarding the selection of the appropriate dairy product for your culinary needs.

So without further adieu, let’s get started!

Cheese

Cheese is a dairy product made using curds of milk.

It has a complex production process that involves adding an enzyme/bacteria named “rennet” or acids such as vinegar or lemon juice to the milk to curdle it.

Once the milk gets curdled, it is drained, pressed, and aged, turning it into the cheese with its unique flavor and texture.

You can find cheese in various forms like soft, semi-soft, hard & blue cheese. Each having its own favor and textures.

People typically consume it as a snack, using it as toppings for pizzas, burgers & pasta, or even in cooking to flavor and texture dishes.

But do you know what is the most surprising of them all? 

Cheese can make an excellent addition to our diet as its rich source of protein and calcium.

Nutritional Values (Approximate Averages)

Preparation Process

1. Heat the milk at around temperatures ranging from (85°F–95°F / 29°C–35°C).
2. Add Started culture and let it sit for 30-60 minutes.
3. Coagulate the milk by adding Rennet and let it sit for another 30–60 minutes.
4. Now it is time to cut the curd into cubes.
5. Heat the curd at around 105°F (40°C) & keep stirring it gently.
6. Drain the way from the curds.
7. Remove excess whey by pressing the curd.
8. Add flavor to the cheese by adding salt.
9. Age the cheese (if applicable).

Paneer

Paneer, also known as cottage cheese is a fresh Indian cheese, commonly used in Indian cuisines.

Just like cheese, paneer is also made using curdling milk with an acidic agent like vinegar and lemon juice, later where the curd gets strained to get rid of the whey.

Paneer has a slightly sweet taste with a soft crumbly texture typically used for making a variety of Indian dishes like paneer tikka, Saag paneer, and paneer bhurji.

It is a rich source of protein and calcium making it an excellent addition to any diet.

It can also be used as an alternative to meat making it popular amongst vegetarians and vegans.

Nutritional Values (Approximate Averages)

Preparation Process

1. Heat the milk until it starts boiling.
2. Add either vinegar or lemon juice to form a curdle.
3. Stir the milk gently until there is a curd formation & the whey separates.
4. Pour the mixture of curd and whey through a colander lined with cheesecloth to separate the both.
5. Rinse the curds with cool water (optional).
6. Wrap the curd using the cheesecloth and press it using some weight for at least 30-60 minutes.
7. Now the paneer is ready and it’s time to unwrap and cut it into pieces.
8. It has a lower shelf life, so use it immediately or keep it refrigerated in water.

Let’s have a look at the cheese and paneer difference

Cheese vs Paneer: Which is Better?

The choice entirely depends on your personal preferences and the type of recipe you want to prepare.

For example: If you want to prepare Western dishes like pizza or grilled cheese sandwiches, opting for cheese would be a much better choice.

However, if you want to prepare some traditional dishes like paneer tikka or saag paneer, it is better to opt for paneer.

Now coming to the nutritional value, paneer is far better than cheese as it has a low amount of fat and calories but is rich in vitamins and minerals like magnesium, Vitamin D, and phosphorus, making it a much better option than cheese.

Can paneer be used as Cheese?

Yes,  as a substitute for some dishes but not a direct replacement.

Paneer has different tastes and textures, so it might not be suitable for certain dishes.

One can use paneer for preparing dishes like lasagna or macaroni and cheese, but the taste and the texture you will get will be entirely different compared to the taste and texture you would have got using traditional cheese.

Conclusion

Both cheese and paneer are versatile dairy products that one can enjoy with various dishes.

Cheese is the most common in Western cuisine, whereas paneer is a trademark of Indian dishes.

They are also a great addition to any diet, with both of them having their unique benefits and qualities.

Go ahead and try to experiment with cheese as well as paneer to find out your personal favorite.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Difference between healthy food and junk food

Difference between fast food and junk food