Horats panir
| Horats panir | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Buried cheese Vayots dzori panir Yeghegnadzor Yeghegnadzor panir |
| Country of origin | Armenia |
| Region | Vayots Dzor |
| Source of milk | Cow's, goat's |
| Pasteurised | Yes |
| Texture | Semi-soft |
| Fat content | 40–55% |
| Aging time | 6 months |
| Named after | Yeghegnadzor |
Yeghegnadzor (Armenian: Եղեգնաձոր, Armenian pronunciation: [jɛʁɛɡnɑˈd͡zɔɾ]), known also as Horats panir (Armenian: հորած պանիր, lit. 'buried cheese', Armenian pronunciation: [hɔɾɑt͡s pɑˈniɾ]) is a traditional Armenian semi-soft cheese originating from the town of Yeghegnadzor in the Vayots Dzor Province of Armenia.[1][2] The name horats panir refers to the method of maturation — the cheese is stored in clay vessels that are buried in the ground.[3]
Production
The cheese is made from pasteurized cow's or goat's milk, or a mixture of both.[2][3] During production, local mountain herbs, roots, and seeds are added to the milk.[2][3] These additions are included both in the starter culture and directly into the curd. The mixture is placed in individual clay pots, which are then buried in mountainous terrain.[2] The cheese is aged for at least six months.[2]
Characteristics
The cheese has a distinct flavor — sharp, salty, and rich.[2] The addition of herbs and aromatic plants gives it characteristic aromatic properties.[2] Its texture is semi-soft, creamy, and slightly crumbly.[2] The fat content ranges from 40% to 55%.[3]
Distribution
During the Armenian SSR, this production method was most widespread in the Yeghegnadzor and Vayk districts.[3] The cheese was also referred to as Vayots Dzor cheese, based on the traditional names of the region.[3]
References
- ^ Adamyan, Vahagn; Babayan, Jasmine (2015). Հայկական խոհանոցի բառարան [Dictionary of Armenian Cuisine] (in Armenian). Yerevan, Armenia. p. 243.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ a b c d e f g h "Yeghegnadzor". TasteAtlas. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f A. S. Piruzyan (1960). Հայկական ճաշեր, Армянская кулинария [Armenian cuisine] (in Russian). Moscow, USSR: Gostorgizdat. p. 170.