Baladi cheese (Arabic: جبنة بلدية or جبنة بلدي, jibnah baladī) is a soft, white cheese originating in the Middle East.[1] It has a mild yet rich flavor.[2]
Baladi has the same size and shape as Syrian cheese with markings from the draining basket or hoop which leave a design patterned on its outer surface. It is slightly higher in fat than Syrian and its texture is softer, creamier and less chewy.[3]
Baladi is made using milk from baladi goats.[1] The word baladi means "village" or "country".[3] Baladi is also called the "cheese of the mountains" since it is made among high mountains by shepherds in Lebanon.[1]
Baladi is a fresh, traditionally unpasteurized, and uncultured cheese made with a mixture of goat, cow and sheep's milk. The diverse microflora, high moisture, uncultured, and unpasteurized nature tends to limit the shelf life to 3 days.[1]