Jibneh Mshallaleh – Bahrain’s Salty Cheese

Jibneh Mshallaleh is a distinctive string cheese from the island nation of Bahrain. This fresh, semi-soft cheese is celebrated for its unique texture, allowing it to be pulled apart into delightful strings. Its mild, milky, and slightly salty flavor makes it a versatile staple in Bahraini cuisine and a fascinating discovery for global cheese enthusiasts.

Distinctive Features

Jibneh Mshallaleh is instantly recognizable by its long, rope-like strands. The cheese has a pure white color and a smooth, slightly glossy surface. Its texture is both firm and pliable, allowing it to be pulled into thin, elastic strings.

The cheese has a high moisture content, contributing to its fresh and springy consistency. It offers a mild, milky flavor with a gentle saltiness that is not overpowering. This simplicity makes it an excellent base for both sweet and savory applications in various dishes.

Cheese Varieties

The primary variety of Jibneh Mshallaleh is made from cow’s milk. Some artisanal producers may also use sheep’s or goat’s milk, which imparts a slightly tangier flavor profile. These variations remain less common but are cherished for their unique characteristics.

Another variety includes the addition of spices like mahleb or nigella seeds during the cheese-making process. These spiced versions add an aromatic dimension to the cheese. The basic, unflavored version, however, remains the most popular and widely available.

History and Traditions

Jibneh Mshallaleh has deep roots in the culinary traditions of Bahrain and the wider Gulf region. It evolved from the Bedouin practice of preserving milk in a portable, durable form. This cheese became a vital source of nutrition in the arid climate.

Bahrain is also famous for its rich pearl diving history and flavorful cuisine like machboos and halwa. The production of Jibneh Mshallaleh is often a family affair, with recipes passed down through generations. It is a staple during Ramadan and Eid celebrations, often served for breakfast or as part of a festive mezze spread.

Production Process

The production of Jibneh Mshallaleh begins with fresh, pasteurized cow’s milk. The milk is warmed and then coagulated using rennet or a microbial starter culture. This process forms a solid curd that is then cut to release the whey.

The curds are heated and stretched in hot water or whey, which gives the cheese its characteristic stringy texture. This stretching and pulling technique is a hallmark of pasta filata cheeses. The cheese is then salted, shaped into ropes or braids, and packaged for immediate consumption as it is a fresh cheese with a short shelf life.

Wine or Beverage Pairings

The mild and salty profile of Jibneh Mshallaleh pairs beautifully with a crisp, dry white wine. A Lebanese white wine like Musar Jeune Blanc complements its freshness without overwhelming it. The wine’s citrus notes cut through the cheese’s richness beautifully.

Non-alcoholic pairings are also excellent with this cheese. A glass of cool, frothy ayran (a yogurt drink) is a classic regional choice. Sweet, minty lemonade or a light, floral jasmine tea also provides a refreshing contrast to its saltiness.

Suitable Fruit and Vegetables

Fresh, juicy fruits provide a wonderful contrast to the salty Jibneh Mshallaleh. Slices of watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew melon are traditional and excellent choices. Their high water content and sweetness balance the cheese’s saltiness perfectly.

For vegetables, crisp options like cucumber sticks, bell pepper strips, and cherry tomatoes work very well. Their fresh crunch and mild flavors allow the cheese to remain the star. Olives and pickled vegetables also add a pleasant tangy counterpoint.

Suitable Meat and Fish dishes

Jibneh Mshallaleh is often incorporated into cooked dishes featuring meat. It melts beautifully over spiced lamb koftas or grilled chicken shawarma. The cheese adds a creamy, stringy texture that enhances these popular dishes.

With fish, it pairs well with milder white fish like hamour (grouper), a Gulf staple. The cheese can be stuffed into fish before baking or served melted on top. It complements the delicate flavor of the fish without dominating it.

Presentation

Remove Jibneh Mshallaleh from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before serving. This allows it to reach the ideal serving temperature of around 15-18°C. At this temperature, its texture is perfectly soft and pliable.

Present the cheese on a simple wooden board or a white ceramic platter to highlight its bright white color. You can present it as a whole braid or pull it apart into individual strings and arrange them loosely. Provide small cheese knives or forks for serving, though it is often enjoyed by hand.

Recipe Ideas

Jibneh Mshallaleh and Za’atar Manakeesh

This recipe transforms simple dough into a flavorful Middle Eastern flatbread. The combination of stretchy Jibneh Mshallaleh and aromatic za’atar is a classic breakfast favorite. It is quick to prepare and utterly delicious straight from the oven.

You can use store-bought pizza dough for a faster version. The heat of the oven melts the cheese beautifully, creating those desirable cheese pulls. Serve it warm for the best texture and flavor experience.

• 250g pizza dough
• 150g Jibneh Mshallaleh, pulled into strings
• 3 tbsp za’atar spice blend
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)

1. Preheat your oven to 220°C.
2. Roll out the pizza dough into a round or oval shape about 1cm thick.
3. Place the dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Brush the surface generously with olive oil.
5. Sprinkle the za’atar evenly over the oiled dough.
6. Distribute the strings of Jibneh Mshallaleh across the top.
7. Optionally, sprinkle with sesame seeds.
8. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted.
9. Slice and serve immediately.

Jibneh Mshallaleh Fruit and Nut Salad

This fresh salad highlights the cheese’s versatility beyond savory applications. The salty cheese pairs surprisingly well with sweet fruits and crunchy nuts. It makes for a light, refreshing, and satisfying lunch or side dish.

The salad requires no cooking and comes together in minutes. You can customize it with any seasonal fruits and nuts you have on hand. A simple honey-lemon dressing ties all the flavors together harmoniously.

• 200g Jibneh Mshallaleh, pulled into strings
• 1 cup watermelon, cubed
• 1 cup cucumber, diced
• 1/2 cup pitted dates, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, torn
• 1/4 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp honey
• Salt and pepper to taste

1. In a large bowl, combine the watermelon, cucumber, dates, mint, and walnuts.
2. Gently fold in the strings of Jibneh Mshallaleh.
3. In a small jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper.
4. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss very gently to combine.
5. Serve immediately on a chilled plate.

Similar Cheeses and Alternatives

Mozzarella is the most widely known international alternative to Jibneh Mshallaleh. Both are pasta filata cheeses, meaning they are stretched and pulled during production. Fresh mozzarella offers a similar mild flavor and soft, stringy texture, though it is often sold in balls rather than ropes.

Within the Middle East, Ackawi cheese from Palestine and Jordan is a close relative. It is also a brined white cheese with a semi-soft texture and mild saltiness. Halloumi from Cyprus shares the ability to be grilled without melting, though it has a much firmer texture and stronger salt profile. For a truly authentic experience, seeking out Jibneh Mshallaleh from a Middle Eastern grocer is highly recommended.