Ricotta cheese is a light-textured, mild fresh Italian cheese with a soft texture, made from twice-cooked milk-traditionally sheep's milk, although cow's milk ricotta is far more common. Whole milk or part-skim products are available, sold in small tubs in most grocery stores. For best quality, seek out fresh ricotta, found in Italian delicatessens.
For other cheese varieties, see American, añejo, asadero, bel paese, blue, brousse de brebis, cabrales, caciotta, cheddar, colby, cotija, cream, Emmenthaler, farmer, feta, fontina, goat, Gorgonzola, Gorgonzola dolcelatte, gouda, gruyère, Jarlsberg, kasseri, Kefalotiri, manchego, mascarpone, Maytag, mizithra, Monterrey jack, mozzarella, panela, Parmesan, pecorino, provolone, queso fresco, romano, roquefort, Stilton, Swiss, and taleggio cheeses.