Ricotta means re-cooked in Italian. And that tells you how this cheese is made. Ricotta comes from the whey, which is separated from the curd during the heating process of cheese making. The whey is heated again and the result is a fresh soft, creamy cheese with mild flavor that is slightly sweet and nutty with a firm texture. Italian ricotta is made from sheep's milk. In North America you're mostly likely to find cow's milk ricotta. Ricotta will last up to about a week in the fridge. If it starts to smell either sharp or fruity, throw it out. Those smells indicate the cheese is not fresh and has turned. |
