Cheese "Pigtail" smoked 27% fat, 105g

"Pigtail" cheese (or chechil) is a traditional Armenian brine cheese with a stringy texture, popular in the Caucasus. Its history goes back to shepherds, who created it for long-term winter storage of milk by braiding the strings, curing them in brine, and smoking them over a fire.

Chechil originated in Armenia centuries ago as a method of preserving milk; shepherds salted and smoked the cheese for transport and storage. The name "chechil" translates as "tangled," reflecting its stringy texture, which differs from suluguni. Its popularity grew in the late 20th century with exports to neighboring countries.

The main ingredient is fresh whole milk—cow, sheep, goat, or a mixture of these. A starter culture (a fermented milk product), rennet or pepsin for curdling, and salt for brine are added. Smoked versions are processed with woodchip smoke.