Kopanisti Mykonou

Kopanisti Mykonou is a salty, spicy cheese, with protected designation of origin (PDO)^[1]^[2] that is mainly found in the Cycladic island of Mykonos, in Greece, Aegean Sea, for more than 200 years. In Turkey, it is traditionally made in Çeşme and Karaburun of İzmir province. It owes its special hot taste in fungal growth and it is sometimes also called the "Greek Roquefort".^[3]

Etymology

"Kopanisti" in the Greek language is used to describe something that has been beaten. In Kopanisti cheese this refers to its technique of preparation. It is mainly made from cow's milk or sheep's milk or a mixture of both. In Turkey, it is also made from goat's milk.

Preparation

At first the milk is cooked at 28-30 °C with yeast until it gets thick. This procedure usually takes about 20–24 hours. After this it needs to be dried and red chili peppers and salt are added. The manufacturer works the mixture by hands once every hour for the first 24 hours. Then the mixture is wrapped in cotton cloth and placed in a cooking pot with a stone placed on top of the cheese. This method helps the cheese to get rid of extra liquids. It remains in the cloth for a week in order to mature and let the fungus grow. The most popular way of serving is in a dish called "mostra" which contains dry bread with kopanisti cheese, chopped tomatoes and Greek olive oil.^[4] Mykoniotes also use it as a meze to accompany the Greek drink ouzo.

References

Greek cheeses

List of Greek Protected Designations of Origin cheeses

Anthotyros Feta Formaela Graviera Kalitsounia Kasseri Kefalotyri Kefalograviera Kopanisti Mykonou Manouri Metsovone Metsovela Mizithra San Michali Xynotyro Xynomizithra

Cuisine of Greece

History	Ancient Greek cuisine Ancient Greece and wine Byzantine cuisine

Ingredients	Basil Dill Eggplant Honey Mastic Olive oil Olives Oregano Raisin Semolina Tomato Thyme

Breads	Daktyla Eliopsomo Lagana Paximadi Pita Stafidopsomo

Salads	Dakos Greek salad Melitzanosalata Skordalia Taramosalata Tirokafteri Tzatziki

Appetizers	Bakaliaros Dolma Fava Kalamaria Kolokythoanthoi Kolokythakia Koulouri Lakerda Loukaniko Lountza Octopus Spanakopita Tyropita Yogurt

Cheeses	Anthotyros Feta Formaela Graviera Kalitsounia Kasseri Kefalotyri Kefalograviera Kopanisti Mykonou Manouri Metsovone Metsovela Mizithra Saganaki San Michali Xynotyro Xynomizithra

Dishes	Apáki Anginares alla Polita Atherina Bourdeto Garides Gemista Gigandes plaki Giouvetsi Gyros Hilopites Lagos Stifado Keftedakia Kokkinisto Kokoretsi Kreatopita Leaf vegetable Manestra Moussaka Mussels Omeletta Pastitsada Pastitsio Pilafi Savoro Sheftalia Smyrna meatballs Snails Spanakorizo Spetsofai Strapatsada Sofrito Souvla Souvlaki Syglino Swordfish Tigania Tsigareli Soups Avgolemono Bourou-bourou Fasolada Kakavia Chicken soup Magiritsa Psarosoupa Revithia Trahanas

Desserts	Copenhagen (dessert) Diples Fanouropita Finikia Galaktoboureko Galatopita Halva Karydopita Koulourakia Kourabiedes Lazarakia Loukoumades Loukoumi Mandolato Melitini Melomakarona Melopita Moustokouloura Pasteli Spoon sweets Tahinopita Trigona Tsoureki Vasilopita

Wines	Agiorgitiko Aidini Assyrtiko Athiri Kotsifali Lesbian wine Limnio Mavrodafni Mandilaria Moschofilero Retsina Robola Savatiano Vilana Xinomavro

Drinks	Kitron Kumquat Mastika Metaxa Ouzo Rakomelo Sideritis Tentura Tsipouro Tsikoudia Frappé coffee

See also	Kafenio Meze Ouzeri Taverna Notable products Avgotaraho Florina pepper Greek wine Fava Santorinis Kalamata olive Krokos Kozanis (Saffron) Zante currant

Greece portal