Ackawi Cheese vs Bergkäse Cheese

Ackawi Cheese is a soft, brined cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East and Syria, while Bergkäse Cheese is hard to semi-hard, sometimes with small holes or cracks and made from cow milk.

What Is Ackawi Cheese?

Akkawi is a white brine cheese from the Levant, named after the port city of Acre. It is usually made from pasteurized cow's milk, cured two days in salted whey brine, and eaten with soft flatbread or on its own as a table cheese.

What Is Bergkäse Cheese?

Bergkäse, German for mountain cheese, is a group of Alpine cheeses made on mountain pastures and in local dairies. Most are hard or semi-hard with a natural rind, a strong and slightly nutty flavour, and few or no eyes.

What's the Difference Between Ackawi Cheese and Bergkäse Cheese?

• Milk type: Ackawi Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk), Bergkäse Cheese (cow)
• Milk treatment: Ackawi Cheese (pasteurized), Bergkäse Cheese (raw)
• Texture: Ackawi Cheese (soft, brined), Bergkäse Cheese (hard to semi-hard, sometimes with small holes or cracks)
• Taste: Ackawi Cheese (mild, milky, salty), Bergkäse Cheese (strong, often a bit nutty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Ackawi Cheese Taste Like Bergkäse Cheese?

Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty, while Bergkäse Cheese brings strong, often a bit nutty character.

Can You Substitute Ackawi Cheese for Bergkäse Cheese?

Ackawi Cheese can stand in for Bergkäse Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, brined bite and body where the recipe calls for hard to semi-hard, sometimes with small holes or cracks. Flavor-wise, Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty while Bergkäse Cheese brings strong, often a bit nutty notes.

Which Is Better, Ackawi Cheese or Bergkäse Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, brined cheese, go with Ackawi Cheese. For a hard to semi-hard, sometimes with small holes or cracks profile, Bergkäse Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Ackawi Cheese suits recipes that want mild, milky, salty notes, while Bergkäse Cheese fits dishes calling for strong, often a bit nutty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ackawi Cheese the same as Bergkäse Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Ackawi Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Bergkäse Cheese uses cow.

Is Ackawi Cheese similar to Bergkäse Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Ackawi Cheese for Bergkäse Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Ackawi Cheese taste like Bergkäse Cheese?

Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty, while Bergkäse Cheese is strong, often a bit nutty.

What is Ackawi Cheese made of?

Ackawi Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 2 days in brine. It originates in Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East and Syria.

What is Bergkäse Cheese made of?

Bergkäse Cheese is made from cow milk (raw).

Which should I choose, Ackawi Cheese or Bergkäse Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Ackawi Cheese is soft, brined, while Bergkäse Cheese is hard to semi-hard, sometimes with small holes or cracks.