Cheese Lover’s Day: Celebrate with Halloumi!

Whether a staunch lover of cheese (a turophile, if you will – yes, there is really a word for it, Greek derived at that!) or not, few can deny the culinary prowess of this humble dairy product.

From your mild cheddars and smoky goudas to buttery brie and rustic bleus, cheese has captured the heart and stomachs of people the world over.

No wonder, then, that each year is littered with celebratory days honouring cheese in all its glory, from Cheese Souffle Day and Cheesecake Day to Cream Cheese Brownie Day.

Today, January 20th, is less specific and rather all-inclusive: Cheese Lover’s Day.

Cyprus, of course, is home of the famed halloumi cheese, which has made waves worldwide thanks to its distinctive flavour and versatility.

The semi-hard, unripened, brined cheese may be enjoyed uncooked, grilled or fried, and pops up across Cyprus’ culinary landscape as a hot appetiser (a mainstay of the traditional meze), in salads, and even as a key component of a refreshing breakfast (the saltiness of the cheese pairing perfectly with sweet watermelon).

Indeed, Columbia Beach Resort’s very own Michelin Star-trained Executive Chef, Ioannis Giakoumides, loves to honour Cyprus’ cheese pride and joy, featuring the staple across a variety of dishes in both traditional and innovative ways.

Guests staying with us might choose to sample the Pissouri Salad (a fresh mix of greens topped with grilled halloumi, aubergine and a balsamic-mint vinaigrette) or order the grilled halloumi as a starter in invigorating their palates for their meal to come.

And in honour of National Cheese Lover’s Day, Chef Ioannis is considering adding a Cyprus-inspired take on mozzarella sticks: perfect bite-sized slices of halloumi rolled in batter, deep fried, and coated in sesame seeds, accompanied by a refreshing yoghurt and smoked paprika dip, to our snack menu! 

Kali Orexi!