Ladotyri Mytilinis is a traditional hard cheese with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status since 1994. It is produced exclusively on the island of Lesvos from sheep’s milk or a mixture of sheep’s and up to 30% goat’s milk. Its color ranges from white to off-white. One of the main characteristics of this traditional cheese is that it is preserved in olive oil for at least three months, a feature that gave the cheese its distinctive name. For practical reasons and due to large-scale production, it is nowadays also available coated in paraffin.
With an average moisture content of 34%, fat 32%, protein 27%, and salt 2.7%, Ladotyri Mytilinis belongs to the category of cheeses with a rich milky aroma and a lingering flavor reminiscent of nuts.
Characteristics:
• Texture: Hard and compact, with small holes throughout the body.
• Flavor: Piquant, slightly bitter, with strong olive oil notes and a salty finish.
• Aroma: Rich, with a distinctive scent of aged cheese and oil.
• Color: Yellow to golden, which darkens over time.