Identifying Authentic Lighvan Cheese from Counterfeit Ones

How can you tell genuine Lighvan cheese from fake ones?

Many people don’t know that Lighvan is not the name of a cheese brand or type of cheese; rather, it is the name of a village in East Azerbaijan Province that truly deserves the title “The Cheese Capital of Iran.” Genuine Lighvan cheese has a unique and delightful flavor unlike any other cheese in the world.

One of the main reasons behind Lighvan cheese’s distinct taste is the use of fresh Sheep or goat’s milk, which is turned directly into cheese without removing the fat. The sheep in this region feed on a special type of local vegetation, which results in high-quality milk and, ultimately, cheese with an unmatched flavor.

Unfortunately, many industrial companies and cheese workshops exploit the name “Lighvan” by selling their products under this label. But here’s the truth: genuine Lighvan cheese is only produced using traditional methods in the tourist village of Lighvan. If a cheese is made with industrial machinery, or even produced by hand outside the Lighvan region, it cannot be considered authentic Lighvan cheese—and it will lack the original taste.

So, the question is: how can you distinguish real Lighvan cheese from the fake ones?
Here, we share the differences between genuine Lighvan cheese and others, as explained by Karim Shahid, one of the top traditional cheese producers in Lighvan:

Genuine Lighvan Cheese Is Made in a Specific Season

Lighvan cheese is made entirely from Sheep or Goat milk. Since this milk is only available during certain months of the year (from late winter to early summer), authentic Lighvan cheese is also produced during this period and stored in natural mountain cellars until it is ready for consumption.

Completely pure white color

The Color of Traditional Lighvan Cheese Is Pure White

Using Sheep or Goat milk gives Lighvan cheese its pure white color. Cow milk, however, makes cheese turn yellowish. Many industrial producers, due to the lack of year-round access to Sheep milk, use Cow milk entirely or in a mixture. Therefore, if you notice even the slightest yellow tint in the cheese, it means it was not made from Sheep milk.

Genuine Lighvan Cheese Is Soft and Does Not Crumble

Authentic Lighvan cheese is made from whole milk, with all its natural fat intact. This makes the cheese soft and pure white.

In other cheese production facilities, the fat may be removed using separators, or additives may be mixed in. While this can make the cheese appear white, it loses its natural softness.

Some producers try to soften fake Lighvan cheese by adding whey, but this method causes the cheese to crumble easily—unlike real Lighvan cheese, which remains soft and cohesive.

Authentic Lighvan Cheese Has a Slightly Sour Taste

Due to its traditional production process, genuine Lighvan cheese has a mildly sour flavor. Fake cheeses marketed as “Lighvan” often lack this tangy taste. If you try authentic Lighvan cheese once, you’ll easily recognize the difference by taste alone in the future.

Presence of almond-shaped holes on the surface

Fake Lighvan Cheese Has No Holes

Original Lighvan cheese has several almond-shaped holes throughout, which are a sign of its authenticity. Fake Lighvan cheeses sold in the market usually lack these holes, making it possible to identify them just by their appearance.

Always Pay Attention to the Producer’s Brand

Ultimately, the most important factor when buying genuine Lighvan cheese is the producer’s brand. Always choose reputable brands that are known for producing authentic, traditional Lighvan cheese.