Cottage cheese is trending and available from £1.50, diet experts explain why

Cottage cheese has seen a resurgence, partly driven by TikTok recipes, and typically provides about 11–13g of protein per 100g; UK sales reached 25.6 million kilograms in 2025, generating £102.2 million in revenue.

Cottage cheese has experienced a renewed surge in popularity in recent years, with social media cooks showing new ways to whip, bake or blend it. The cheese has ancient roots traced to Mesopotamia around 3000 BC and was first called "cottage cheese" in America in 1831. It is made by adding an acid such as vinegar or lemon juice to milk, which separates curds from whey; the curds are washed, drained and mixed with cream and salt. Nutritionally, a 100g portion typically contains around 11–13g of protein and roughly 98–103 calories. Key points: - Popularity: TikTok and other recipe platforms have helped broaden cottage cheese recipes and uses. - Production: Cottage cheese is made by curdling milk with an acid, then washing and blending curds with cream and salt. - Nutrition: On average per 100g it supplies about 11–13g protein, 4.5–6g fat (varies by style), and 98–103 calories. - Market data: Farming UK reported 25.6 million kilograms sold in the UK in 2025, generating £102.2 million, a 41.9% year-on-year increase. - Other notes: Most varieties are not reliably probiotic; lactose levels tend to be lower than milk and lactose-free options exist, while fat content varies from low-fat to full-fat versions. Summary: The recent interest has widened cottage cheese’s culinary role and coincided with a marked rise in UK sales in 2025. Whether this popularity persists beyond current food trends is undetermined at this time.