Ackawi Cheese vs Queso de Burgos

Ackawi Cheese is a soft, brined cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East and Syria, while Queso de Burgos is fresh, slightly grainy or buttery, elastic, slightly fatty and made from cow and sheep milk, originating in Spain.

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 Queso de Burgos?

Queso de Burgos is a fresh white cheese from the province of Burgos, Spain, eaten within days of being made. Once a sheep's milk cheese sold at the Burgos market, it received EU Protected Geographical Indication status in September 2025.

What's the Difference Between Ackawi Cheese and Queso de Burgos?

• Origin: Ackawi Cheese (Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East and Syria), Queso de Burgos (Spain)
• Milk type: Ackawi Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk), Queso de Burgos (Cow’s and sheep’s milk)
• Texture: Ackawi Cheese (soft, brined), Queso de Burgos (Fresh, slightly grainy or buttery, elastic, slightly fatty)
• Rind: Ackawi Cheese (natural), Queso de Burgos (None)
• Aging: Ackawi Cheese (2 days in brine), Queso de Burgos (Fresh, not matured)
• Taste: Ackawi Cheese (mild, milky, salty), Queso de Burgos (Mild, milky, and slightly sweet)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Ackawi Cheese Taste Like Queso de Burgos?

Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty, while Queso de Burgos brings mild, milky, and slightly sweet character. On the nose, Ackawi Cheese offers mild, milky, contrasted with Queso de Burgos's smells of fresh milk; varies in intensity based on sheep’s milk content. Aging plays into this as well. Ackawi Cheese at 2 days in brine develops a different profile than Queso de Burgos at fresh, not matured.

Can You Substitute Ackawi Cheese for Queso de Burgos?

Ackawi Cheese can stand in for Queso de Burgos 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 fresh, slightly grainy or buttery, elastic, slightly fatty. Flavor-wise, Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty while Queso de Burgos brings mild, milky, and slightly sweet notes.

Which Is Better, Ackawi Cheese or Queso de Burgos?

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 fresh, slightly grainy or buttery, elastic, slightly fatty profile, Queso de Burgos is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Ackawi Cheese suits recipes that want mild, milky, salty notes, while Queso de Burgos fits dishes calling for mild, milky, and slightly sweet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ackawi Cheese the same as Queso de Burgos?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Ackawi Cheese originates in Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East and Syria, while Queso de Burgos comes from Spain. Ackawi Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Queso de Burgos uses cow and sheep. Aging also differs: Ackawi Cheese is typically aged 2 days in brine, Queso de Burgos fresh, not matured.

Is Ackawi Cheese similar to Queso de Burgos?

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

Can I substitute Ackawi Cheese for Queso de Burgos?

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

Does Ackawi Cheese taste like Queso de Burgos?

Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty, while Queso de Burgos is mild, milky, and slightly sweet. Aromas also diverge. Ackawi Cheese leans mild, milky, and Queso de Burgos is closer to smells of fresh milk; varies in intensity based on sheep’s milk content.

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 Queso de Burgos made of?

Queso de Burgos is made from cow and sheep milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged fresh, not matured. It originates in Spain.

Which should I choose, Ackawi Cheese or Queso de Burgos?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Ackawi Cheese is soft, brined, while Queso de Burgos is fresh, slightly grainy or buttery, elastic, slightly fatty.