Ackawi Cheese vs Caerphilly Cheese

Ackawi Cheese is a soft, brined cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East and Syria, while Caerphilly Cheese is hard, crumbly and made from cow milk, originating in United Kingdom and Wales.

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 Caerphilly Cheese?

Caerphilly is a white, crumbly cow's milk cheese from the area around the town of Caerphilly in Wales, first made on farms to feed local coal miners. It has a mild taste with a tang of lemon and ripens in as little as two weeks.

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

• Origin: Ackawi Cheese (Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East and Syria), Caerphilly Cheese (United Kingdom and Wales)
• Milk type: Ackawi Cheese (Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk), Caerphilly Cheese (Cow's milk)
• Milk treatment: Ackawi Cheese (pasteurized), Caerphilly Cheese (unpasteurized)
• Texture: Ackawi Cheese (Soft, brined), Caerphilly Cheese (Hard, crumbly)
• Rind: Ackawi Cheese (natural), Caerphilly Cheese (Mottled gray-white)
• Aging: Ackawi Cheese (2 days in brine), Caerphilly Cheese (from 2 weeks)
• Taste: Ackawi Cheese (mild, milky, salty), Caerphilly Cheese (Earthy, barnyard, lemony)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Ackawi Cheese Taste Like Caerphilly Cheese?

Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty, while Caerphilly Cheese brings earthy, barnyard, lemony character. On the nose, Ackawi Cheese offers mild, milky, contrasted with Caerphilly Cheese's fresh. Aging plays into this as well. Ackawi Cheese at 2 days in brine develops a different profile than Caerphilly Cheese at from 2 weeks.

Can You Substitute Ackawi Cheese for Caerphilly Cheese?

Ackawi Cheese can stand in for Caerphilly 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, crumbly. Flavor-wise, Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty while Caerphilly Cheese brings earthy, barnyard, lemony notes.

Which Is Better, Ackawi Cheese or Caerphilly 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, crumbly profile, Caerphilly Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Ackawi Cheese suits recipes that want mild, milky, salty notes, while Caerphilly Cheese fits dishes calling for earthy, barnyard, lemony.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ackawi Cheese the same as Caerphilly Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Ackawi Cheese originates in Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East and Syria, while Caerphilly Cheese comes from United Kingdom and Wales. Ackawi Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Caerphilly Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Ackawi Cheese is typically aged 2 days in brine, Caerphilly Cheese from 2 weeks.

Is Ackawi Cheese similar to Caerphilly Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Ackawi Cheese for Caerphilly Cheese?

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

Does Ackawi Cheese taste like Caerphilly Cheese?

Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty, while Caerphilly Cheese is earthy, barnyard, lemony. Aromas also diverge. Ackawi Cheese leans mild, milky, and Caerphilly Cheese is closer to fresh.

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 Caerphilly Cheese made of?

Caerphilly Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged from 2 weeks. It originates in United Kingdom and Wales.

Which should I choose, Ackawi Cheese or Caerphilly Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Ackawi Cheese is soft, brined, while Caerphilly Cheese is hard, crumbly.