On a Bulgarian table, Shopska salad sits beside banitsa. The white cheese in both? Sirene. In 2023, this Bulgarian brined cheese gained a protected name: the EU registered Българско бяло саламурено сирене/Bulgarsko byalo salamureno sirene as a protected designation of origin. [1]
Pull up a chair for sirene
The Bulgarian tourism ministry lists white cheese in both Shopska salad and banitsa. If meeting one brined cheese leaves you curious about another, take a look at feta. Cheese curiosity rarely knows when to stop. [2]
General information only, not medical advice: follow the official guidance where you live.
Questions people ask
What is sirene?
Sirene is a Bulgarian white brined cheese. Its protected name includes the words Bulgarsko byalo salamureno sirene.
When did sirene gain a protected name?
The EU registered its protected name in 2023. It is a protected designation of origin.
What is the registered name for Bulgarian sirene?
The registered name is Българско бяло саламурено сирене/Bulgarsko byalo salamureno sirene. The cheese is known as sirene.
Which Bulgarian dishes feature white cheese?
Shopska salad and banitsa both feature white cheese. They are listed by the Bulgarian tourism ministry.
What other cheese is sirene compared with?
The page points readers to feta for a comparison. Feta is another brined cheese.
Sources
- European Commission, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1571, 2023.
- Bulgarian Ministry of Tourism, Bulgarian Cuisine. Publication year not verified.
Last checked November 2026.
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