Ackawi Cheese vs Cheddar Cheese

Q: Is Ackawi Cheese the same as Cheddar Cheese?

No. Ackawi Cheese and Cheddar Cheese are distinct cheeses from Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East and Syria and England respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Ackawi Cheese for Cheddar Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Ackawi Cheese for Cheddar Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Which should I choose, Ackawi Cheese or Cheddar Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Ackawi Cheese

Cheddar Cheese

Ackawi Cheese is a soft, brined cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East and Syria, while Cheddar Cheese is varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) and made from cow milk, originating in England.

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 Cheddar Cheese?

Cheddar is a relatively hard, off-white to orange cow's milk cheese from the village of Cheddar in Somerset, South West England. The name is not protected, so it is made worldwide, and it is the UK's most popular cheese at 51% of the national cheese market.

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

Origin: Ackawi Cheese (Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East and Syria), Cheddar Cheese (England)
Milk type: Ackawi Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk), Cheddar Cheese (cow's milk)
Milk treatment: Ackawi Cheese (pasteurized), Cheddar Cheese (Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized)
Texture: Ackawi Cheese (soft, brined), Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline))
Rind: Ackawi Cheese (natural), Cheddar Cheese (Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic))
Aging: Ackawi Cheese (2 days in brine), Cheddar Cheese (A few months to several years)
Taste: Ackawi Cheese (mild, milky, salty), Cheddar Cheese (Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Ackawi Cheese	Cheddar Cheese
Country of Origin	Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East And Syria	England
Specific Origin	The Levant, Middle East	Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester)
Milk Type	Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	Pasteurized	Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized
Texture	Soft, brined	Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)
Rind	Natural	Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)
Aging	2 days in brine	A few months to several years
Taste	Mild, milky, salty	Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory

Taste Comparison: Does Ackawi Cheese Taste Like Cheddar Cheese?

Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty, while Cheddar Cheese brings mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory character. Aging plays into this as well. Ackawi Cheese at 2 days in brine develops a different profile than Cheddar Cheese at a few months to several years.

Can You Substitute Ackawi Cheese for Cheddar Cheese?

Ackawi Cheese can stand in for Cheddar 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 varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline). Flavor-wise, Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty while Cheddar Cheese brings mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory notes.

Which Is Better, Ackawi Cheese or Cheddar 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 varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) profile, Cheddar Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Ackawi Cheese suits recipes that want mild, milky, salty notes, while Cheddar Cheese fits dishes calling for mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ackawi Cheese the same as Cheddar Cheese?

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

Is Ackawi Cheese similar to Cheddar Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Ackawi Cheese for Cheddar Cheese?

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

Does Ackawi Cheese taste like Cheddar Cheese?

Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty, while Cheddar Cheese is mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory.

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 Cheddar Cheese made of?

Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk (raw, thermized, pasteurized), using animal; microbial chymosin in vegetarian and kosher versions rennet. It's typically aged a few months to several years. It originates in England.

Which should I choose, Ackawi Cheese or Cheddar Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Ackawi Cheese is soft, brined, while Cheddar Cheese is varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline).