The UK is the biggest consumer of halloumi cheese outside of Cyprus, with Waitrose customers buying enough packs of halloumi last year to stack 206 times the height of The Shard in London. Originally from Cyprus but widely used throughout the middle east, Halloumi is a salty, brined cheese traditionally made from the curd of goat and sheep milk. Its high melting point makes it a perfect for grilling, frying or baking.

With online searches for 'halloumi' rising 83% in the past two years and five times more halloumi searches than there were five years ago Waitrose is celebrating the UK's growing love for the cheese by creating a halloumi-lover's infographic filled with cheese-tastic stats. An average of 60,500 people searched online for 'halloumi' in June, and Waitrose sold the equivalent weight of 33 London buses worth in the past year alone.

Chris Dawson, Cheese Buyer at Waitrose comments “It's easy to see why halloumi popularity has soared in the UK – it's a tasty, quick mid-week meal option and we've seen sales increase 26% in the past two years.”

Being high in protein and calcium, halloumi is also a great option as part of a balanced diet. Cypriots especially like to eat it grilled with watermelon, as the combination of the salty and sweet is refreshing in the warm climate.

Leyli Homayoonfar, Chef at Waitrose Cookery School, Finchley Road says “Try halloumi for brunch or as an alternative to meat – it's a great swap for bacon because of its saltiness. You can also freeze it for up to a year without it affecting the texture.”

Leyli's other grilled cheese serving suggestions include Turkish eggs, Shakshuka, Aubergine and Halloumi bake and traditional Saganaki.