Cheese Database

Ġbejna vs Telemea

Ġbejna

Facts

Milk
Sheep
Texture
Fresh
Type
Fresh
Rind
No rind
Country
Malta

Ġbejna is a small sheep's milk cheese from Malta. The name is a diminutive of the Maltese word for cheese, and English speakers often call the pieces cheeselets. Each piece is only a few bites, with a rounded shape that comes from a small basket mold. Makers sell it fresh, air-dried, or coated with black pepper. Sheep's milk defines it, and the taste changes with the way the piece is kept.

Telemea

Facts

Milk
Sheep
Texture
Semi-soft
Type
Brined
Rind
No rind
Country
Romania

Telemea is a white brined cheese from Romania, and it is traditionally made from sheep's milk. The paste is moist, pale, and free of any rind. A cold piece slices cleanly, and a softer piece crumbles under a fork. Salt from the brine is part of the flavor, together with a light tang. People eat it plain with bread, and they also tuck it into simple savory dishes.