Ah, feta cheese. We know it as a tangy, briny, white sheep’s milk cheese with a crumbly texture, and as a cornerstone of Greek cuisine. Feta’s story stretches back millennia, to the early days of human civilization, around 8,000 years ago at the first origin of cheese itself. According to legend, cheese was accidentally invented while transporting milk in preserved animal stomachs. The milk would curdle during the journey, solidifying during a person’s travels. Ancient Greeks quickly recognized this valuable new food and began incorporating this cheese into their diets. Homer even referenced it in his epic, the “Odyssey,” written around the 8th century B.C.
In one of the most famous passages, the Cyclops Polyphemus is depicted storing cheese in his cave, confirming that cheesemaking was a well-established practice in Greece at that time. Homer’s portrayal of Polyphemus curdling milk and making cheese may be the earliest reference to feta. Greek cheesemakers continued to refine their methods over the centuries, and feta became a prized commodity.
The mythical history of feta stretches to the present
By the time of the Roman Empire, cheese was an integral part of Greek life, consumed by peasants and aristocrats alike. However, the cheese wasn’t known as “feta” until the 17th century. The word feta means “slice” or “slab” in Greek, and it originated from cutting large blocks of cheese into slices and placing them into barrels — a tradition that persists today.
It wasn’t until the 20th century that feta cheese gained international recognition. Greeks emigrated from their home country in large numbers, especially to countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia, and the cultural expansion was pivotal in introducing feta to the global market. In 2002, the European Union granted feta Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status, meaning that only cheese produced in specific regions of Greece using traditional methods can legally be called feta. As a result, the cheese became even more sought after.
Feta is more than just cheese. It has an ancient history rich in mythology and tradition. The next time you cut a slice, remember Aristotle, Homer, and even that animal stomach that created the first feta. You’re tasting a piece of history that reaches back to the time of the Greek gods.
