Lori Cheese from Armenia – A Taste of Tradition
Discover Lori cheese from Armenia, a semi-hard delight with a mild, creamy flavor perfect for snacking and traditional dishes.
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Rectangular Cheese
Definition and Scope
Rectangular cheese refers to any cheese variety formed into a rectangular prism shape during production. This geometric form is common across many cheese types, from cheddar and colby to processed cheese blocks. The shape facilitates uniform aging, efficient storage, and standardized slicing for retail and food service applications.
Rectangular formats are not tied to a specific milk type or aging duration. They appear in fresh cheeses like paneer and aged varieties such as gouda. This categorization is purely morphological, grouping cheeses by their physical dimensions rather than internal characteristics like texture or flavor profile.
Production Process
Manufacturers create rectangular cheeses by pressing curds into rectangular molds or hoops. These molds apply consistent pressure to expel whey and create dense, uniform blocks. The rectangular form allows for efficient use of space in aging rooms and refrigeration units during the maturation period.
Industrial production often uses rectangular forms for their stacking and packaging advantages. After pressing, the cheeses may be vacuum-sealed or waxed before aging. The flat surfaces enable consistent moisture evaporation and rind development when aged without packaging.
Sensory Profile
Rectangular cheeses display no unified sensory characteristics due to their diverse compositions. A rectangular brie will maintain its creamy texture and mushroom notes, while a rectangular parmesan remains granular and salty. The shape itself doesn’t influence the fundamental flavor development during aging.
The primary sensory impact of rectangular formatting appears in texture consistency. The uniform pressure distribution during formation typically creates even density throughout the block. This results in predictable slicing properties and mouthfeel across the entire cheese.
Culinary Applications
Rectangular cheeses are preferred in food service for their portioning efficiency. Their geometric regularity allows for precise cutting into consistent slices, cubes, or shreds. This makes them ideal for sandwiches, cheese plates, and ingredient measurement in commercial kitchens.
Many rectangular cheeses are specifically designed for melting applications in dishes like grilled cheese sandwiches and casseroles. The block form protects the interior until use, maintaining moisture content and preventing premature drying compared to pre-sliced alternatives.
Regional Examples
American cheesemaking heavily favors rectangular formats, particularly for cheddar, colby, and Monterey Jack. These blocks typically weigh between 5 and 40 pounds and are aged in temperature-controlled environments. Their standardized dimensions support national distribution networks.
European examples include rectangular mimolette from France and certain gouda varieties from the Netherlands. These maintain traditional recipes while adopting rectangular forms for export markets. Even some Italian hard cheeses like asiago appear in rectangular blocks for international distribution.