Rubing facts for kids
Rubing (simplified Chinese: 乳饼; traditional Chinese: 乳餅; pinyin: rǔbǐng) is a special kind of cheese from the Yunnan Province in China. It's a firm, fresh cheese made from goat milk. It doesn't melt easily, which makes it great for cooking! People from the Bai and Sani groups, who are minority communities in China, traditionally make this cheese. In the Bai language, Rubing is called youdbap, which means "goat's milk."
Contents
How Rubing Cheese is Made
Rubing cheese is made in a simple but clever way.
Mixing Ingredients
First, goat's milk is heated up. Then, a special ingredient is added to make the milk curdle, or turn into solid cheese. This ingredient is called a "souring agent."
The Souring Agent
Traditionally, the souring agent for Rubing is a mix called năiténg (奶藤). This name means "milk cane" and it comes from a special plant, a cultivated vine. This plant helps the milk turn into cheese.
Cooking and Eating Rubing Cheese
Rubing is a versatile cheese, meaning it can be cooked in many different ways!
Popular Cooking Methods
- Steamed: Often, Rubing is steamed with local ham or salted beef. This makes it soft and flavorful.
- Pan-Fried: You can also pan-fry Rubing. It's delicious when served with just a little salt and chili powder.
- Stir-Fried: Like other firm foods in Chinese cooking, Rubing can be stir-fried with vegetables. People often mix it with broccoli and carrot.
Adding Flavor
When pan-fried, Rubing can be seasoned with different spices. Some popular choices include dry chili powder, salt, and Sichuan pepper powder. These spices give it a unique and exciting taste!
Rubing and Other Cheeses
Rubing cheese has some similarities to other cheeses you might know.
Similar Cheeses
Rubing is a bit like paneer from India or queso blanco from Latin America. These cheeses are also firm and don't melt easily. However, Rubing has its own special taste because it's made from fresh goat's milk, which gives it a unique aroma.
