Tel panir

Tel panir (Armenian: թել պանիր, lit. 'string cheese', Armenian pronunciation: [tʰɛl pɑˈniɾ]), also known as husats panir (Armenian: հյուսած պանիր, lit. 'braided cheese'), is a traditional Armenian cheese, made from strained and fermented milk.^[1][2] It is a variety of chechil cheese and consists of a bundle or braided form made up of individual threads.^[1][3]

Tel panir
Other names	Husats panir
Country of origin	Armenia
Region	Armenian highlands

Production

The production process of tel panir involves stretching heated low-fat chechil cheese into thin threads, which are then twisted into bundles or braided shapes.^[3] In the past, producing cheese with thin threads required a certain level of experience and skill.^[1] Tel panir is traditionally made in rural areas and was often used to decorate the table.^[1] It was often shaped in such a way as to highlight the fineness of the threads, which was a sign of high craftsmanship.^[1]

Storage

Traditionally, tel panir was stored in brine using clay vessels.^[3] This helped preserve its freshness and prevent spoilage. Over time, enamel or glass containers began to be used for storing the cheese.^[3]