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

The tradition of making husats cheese in the Shirak region is included in the intangible cultural heritage list of the Republic of Armenia.^[4]

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]

See also

• Tresse cheese