Buying
While buying, consider what type of ricotta you intend to buy depending upon the composition of fat and moisture contents.
Whole milk ricotta is manufactured from whole milk, and the finished product shall contain no more than 80% moisture and not less than 11% milk fat.
Part-skim ricotta is manufactured from milk with reduced milk fat content, and the finished product shall contain no more than 80% moisture and less than 11% but not less than 6% milk fat.
Ricotta (Ricotone) from whey is manufactured from whey, and the finished product shall contain no more than 82.5% moisture and less than 1% milk fat.
Fresh ricotta cheese is readily available year-round in groceries and supermarkets. Buy fresh ricotta in sealed containers/packs from refrigerated sections.
Good ricotta should be soft, creamy, moist, and grainy. It should be clear white or creamy with a sweet or slightly acidic flavor. Avoid any off-flavored, beyond-date products.
Storing
Being a fresh and soft cheese, ricotta is highly perishable and must be refrigerated in a well-sealed container. If you prepare it at home, make small batches frequently and store it well in the fridge for up to a week.
Food uses
Ricotta is a whey-based cheese and is best used as a dessert cheese and in pastries. It blends well with sugar, condiment spices, and berry fruits, or is used in a wide range of savory pasta dishes.
Here are some serving tips:
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Enjoy fresh ricotta mixed thoroughly with fruits and dried nuts as a dessert.
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Prepare spinach and ricotta cheese stuffed – ravioli and serve with sage butter or creamy tomato sauce.
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In Russia and other Eastern European nations, ricotta is substituted for tvoróg (творо́г) in delicious Syrniki (сырники), a traditional sweet pancake.
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Torta di ricotta is an Italian dessert made with cream cheese and ricotta and flavoured with candied citrus peel and rum-soaked raisins (sultanas).
Safety profile
Ricotta is a soft, low-calorie cheese and is low in sodium and saturated fats, and therefore, recommended as a healthy dairy product in those who are on a low sodium and fat diet program.
Ricotta cheese contains small amounts of tyramine and can be eaten in small quantities by those on a tyramine-restricted diet. (Source: Queensland Government-low tyramine diet: MAOI’s and diet.)
Since Ricotta is whey-cooked cheese, it is devoid of casein (which is the protein responsible for milk allergies) and less allergenic.
Also read ≻≻-
≺≺ American Cream cheese nutrition facts.
≺≺ Cheddar cheese nutrition facts.
≺≺ Back to Dairy products from Ricotta cheese nutrition facts.
≺≺ Back to Home page.
Further Resources:
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USDA National Nutrient Database. (opens in new window).
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– USDA Specifications for Ricotta Cheeses. (opens in new window).
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Queensland Government- low tyramine diet..