Gvina levana (Hebrew: גבינה לבנה), which means "white cheese" in Hebrew, also known as Israeli white cheese, is a soft, creamy, and tangy cheese that is popular in Israel. The cheese is made from cow's milk and has a crumbly texture and a slightly sour taste. It is used in a variety of dishes in Israeli cuisine and is an important part of Israeli culture.[1][page needed][2][page needed][3][page needed][4][5]
According to food journalist Janna Gur and others, the cheese was likely brought to Israel from Germany by Templers, who called it Weißkäse.[6][7] Although the original recipes called for pig rennet, the food was approved by Rabbi Issar Yehuda Unterman as kosher because it is such a minute ingredient in the final product.[6]
Gvina Levana has been a staple of Israeli cuisine for over 50 years. It was first introduced by the Tnuva dairy company in the 1960s as a new type of cheese that could be easily spread on bread or crackers. Today, Gvina Levana is produced by several different companies and is widely available in supermarkets and grocery stores throughout Israel.[8][page needed]
The cheese is of a loose, spreadable consistency, less dense than cream cheese; it can be eaten with a spoon.[6] It is unripened and similar to a quark.[6] The cheese is generally produced in 5% and 9% fat versions, but also in a 1/2% version.[9][6]
Gvina Levana is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes both sweet and savory. It is often used as a spread on bread or crackers, and it can also be used as a topping for salads or vegetables.[6] In addition, Gvina Levana is a key ingredient in many Israeli dishes, such as Israeli cheesecake, toastim, shakshuka, a breakfast dish made with eggs and tomato sauce. Gvina Levana has become an integral part of the Israeli breakfast, which is often referred to as "Israeli-style breakfast". This breakfast typically consists of eggs, fresh vegetables, bread and Gvina Levana. It is also commonly used in Israeli street food, such as the popular sabich sandwich. Sabich is an Israeli sandwich made with fried eggplant, hard-boiled eggs, hummus, tahini, and a variety of vegetables, all stuffed into a pita bread. Gvina Levana is often used as a topping for sabich sandwiches.[10][page needed]
In recent years[when?], Gvina Levana has also become a popular ingredient in vegan and plant-based diets. Vegan versions of Gvina Levana are made from plant-based milk and are used as a substitute for traditional dairy-based Gvina Levana.[8][page needed]
In recent years[when?], there has been a growing interest in artisanal versions of Gvina Levana, made by small-scale producers using traditional techniques. These artisanal cheeses are often sold in specialty food stores and farmers' markets.[2][page needed]
Gvina Levana is an important part of Israeli cuisine and culture,[6] and it is often referenced in the country's popular culture. In Hebrew, the phrase "Gvina Levana" is sometimes used to refer to something that is simple, basic, and uncomplicated.[1][page needed][5][page needed][3][page needed][2][page needed]
