Historical Development and Geographical Characteristics of Kırklareli Cheese

Abstract

In Kırklareli, which has high importance for cheese production since ancient times, there are two different types of cheeses have important commercial potential are Kırklareli White Cheese (KWC) and Kırklareli Old Kashar Cheese (KOKC). These cheeses belong to Kırklareli and they are produced using the milk obtained in Kırklareli. A certain proportion of sheep milk, goat milk and cow milk is used in a mixture for KWC and KOKC production. There are some basic and distinctive features for Kırklareli cheeses. These features can be summarized as the effect of some differences belongs to Kırklareli, can be mentioned as natural vegetation due to geographical structure and climatic conditions, milk characteristics, historical difference and production method and maturation process. KBP and KEKP are reflected to the differences between animal feeding, milk and milk. The proportions of the plant species composed the botanical composition of the province constitute the animal feed. According to the botanical characteristics, the common plants in Kırklareli pastures are wheat (Poaceae), legumes (Fabaceae), broad-leaved herbs (Asteraceae, Apiaceae, Lamiaceae etc) and bushes. These 3 different groups of plants have different effects on the most basic quality criterias of milk and cheese, such as protein content, fat ratio etc. Apart from these, there are so many differences, which contain the low microbial load and process conditions. The fact that the milks produced in the province have quality properties within EU limits bring with it a very important advantage such as low pasteurization temperature. For the production of KWC and KOKC, cow milk only or the mixture of cow milk, goat milk and sheep milk, with rates between 15-30%, 25-40% and 30-45% respectively, can be used. Mixture rates are between 30% -45% sheep milk, 25% -40% goat milk and 15- 30% cow milk.