Ackawi Cheese vs Caciocavallo Cheese

Ackawi Cheese is a soft, brined cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East and Syria, while Caciocavallo Cheese is firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

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 Caciocavallo Cheese?

Caciocavallo is a stretched-curd cheese from southern Italy, made with sheep's or cow's milk and shaped like a teardrop. It has a hard edible rind and tastes much like the aged provolone of the same region.

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

• Origin: Ackawi Cheese (Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East and Syria), Caciocavallo Cheese (Italy)
• Milk type: Ackawi Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk), Caciocavallo Cheese (cow's milk)
• Texture: Ackawi Cheese (soft, brined), Caciocavallo Cheese (Firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly)
• Rind: Ackawi Cheese (natural), Caciocavallo Cheese (Smooth, thickens with age)
• Aging: Ackawi Cheese (2 days in brine), Caciocavallo Cheese (2 to 12 months, up to 5 years)
• Taste: Ackawi Cheese (mild, milky, salty), Caciocavallo Cheese (Slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Ackawi Cheese Taste Like Caciocavallo Cheese?

Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty, while Caciocavallo Cheese brings slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex character. On the nose, Ackawi Cheese offers mild, milky, contrasted with Caciocavallo Cheese's earthy. Aging plays into this as well. Ackawi Cheese at 2 days in brine develops a different profile than Caciocavallo Cheese at 2 to 12 months, up to 5 years.

Can You Substitute Ackawi Cheese for Caciocavallo Cheese?

Ackawi Cheese can stand in for Caciocavallo 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 firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly. Flavor-wise, Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty while Caciocavallo Cheese brings slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex notes.

Which Is Better, Ackawi Cheese or Caciocavallo 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 firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly profile, Caciocavallo Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Ackawi Cheese suits recipes that want mild, milky, salty notes, while Caciocavallo Cheese fits dishes calling for slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ackawi Cheese the same as Caciocavallo Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Ackawi Cheese originates in Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East and Syria, while Caciocavallo Cheese comes from Italy. Ackawi Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Caciocavallo Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Ackawi Cheese is typically aged 2 days in brine, Caciocavallo Cheese 2 to 12 months, up to 5 years.

Is Ackawi Cheese similar to Caciocavallo Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Ackawi Cheese for Caciocavallo Cheese?

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

Does Ackawi Cheese taste like Caciocavallo Cheese?

Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty, while Caciocavallo Cheese is slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex. Aromas also diverge. Ackawi Cheese leans mild, milky, and Caciocavallo Cheese is closer to earthy.

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 Caciocavallo Cheese made of?

Caciocavallo Cheese is made from cow milk. It's typically aged 2 to 12 months, up to 5 years. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Ackawi Cheese or Caciocavallo Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Ackawi Cheese is soft, brined, while Caciocavallo Cheese is firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly.