Halloumi cheese, also known as grilling cheese or squeaky cheese, is a semi-hard brined cheese that originally comes from Cyprus. It has a distinctive salty flavor and high melting point, which allows it to maintain its shape when cooked. Halloumi has a few different names that may be used to refer to the same type of cheese.
Cypriot Halloumi
The most common alternative name for halloumi cheese is simply Cypriot halloumi or Cypriot cheese. This name refers to the Cypriot origins of the cheese and is sometimes used to differentiate it from halloumi-style cheeses that may be produced elsewhere.
Hellim
Hellim is the Turkish name for halloumi cheese. It comes from the Turkish Cypriot community and is used to refer to the same traditional cheese. Hellim is a protected designation of origin (PDO) product in Northern Cyprus and has its own standards and production regulations.
White Cheese
In many Middle Eastern and Arabic-speaking countries, halloumi is commonly referred to as white cheese. This refers to the cheese’s pale color and distinguishes it from other local cheeses that may be called by their own names.
Squeaky Cheese
The name squeaky cheese comes from the unique sound that fresh halloumi makes when you eat it. The high-temperature cheese curds rub against each other and squeak slightly when bitten into. This makes it a very descriptive name for the cheese.
Grilling Cheese
Grilling cheese is another popular name for halloumi, referring to one of its signature uses. The high melting point of halloumi makes it perfect for grilling, as it holds its shape very well. This name is a good indicator that the cheese will be great on skewers or a barbecue.
Comparison of Names
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Halloumi | Original name, refers to the cheese itself |
| Cypriot halloumi | Indicates Cypriot origins |
| Hellim | Turkish name, protected designation of origin |
| White cheese | Refers to the pale color |
| Squeaky cheese | Describes the noise it makes when eaten |
| Grilling cheese | Refers to popular cooking use |
Conclusion
While halloumi is the original name of the cheese, there are several common alternative names that refer to halloumi cheese as well. These include Cypriot halloumi, hellim, white cheese, squeaky cheese, and grilling cheese. The different names either refer to the cheese’s origins and characteristics or to popular uses in cooking.