Ackawi Cheese vs Feta Cheese

Ackawi Cheese is a soft, brined cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East and Syria, while Feta Cheese is soft, white, aged in brine and made from goat and sheep milk, originating in Greece.

What Is Ackawi Cheese?

Ackawi is a soft, brined cheese that originates from the Middle East, including countries such as Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. It is made from pasteurized cow's, goat's, or sheep's milk. The cheese has a mild, milky flavor with a noticeable salty taste, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy a gentle yet savory cheese experience. Its aroma is similarly mild and milky, complementing its white color. The texture is soft, making it easy to slice and use in various dishes. Ackawi is often compared to feta but is less crumbly and more elastic. It is used in both savory dishes and desserts, and can be eaten fresh or melted. Alternative spellings include Akkawi, Akawieh, and Akawi.

What Is Feta Cheese?

Feta is a brined curd white cheese from Greece, made traditionally from sheep's milk, or from a mixture of sheep and goat's milk. It is crumbly with a slightly grainy texture and has a salty, tangy flavor. Feta is commonly used in salads, pastries, and as a table cheese, and is central to Greek cuisine.

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

• Origin: Ackawi Cheese (Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East and Syria), Feta Cheese (Greece)
• Milk type: Ackawi Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk), Feta Cheese (goat's and sheep's milk)
• Milk treatment: Ackawi Cheese (pasteurized), Feta Cheese (Pasteurized, sometimes raw)
• Texture: Ackawi Cheese (soft, brined), Feta Cheese (Soft, white, aged in brine)
• Rind: Ackawi Cheese (natural), Feta Cheese (None)
• Taste: Ackawi Cheese (mild, milky, salty), Feta Cheese (Sharp to mild)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Ackawi Cheese Taste Like Feta Cheese?

Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty, while Feta Cheese brings sharp to mild character. On the nose, Ackawi Cheese offers mild, milky, contrasted with Feta Cheese's nutty, strong.

Can You Substitute Ackawi Cheese for Feta Cheese?

Ackawi Cheese can stand in for Feta 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 soft, white, aged in brine. Flavor-wise, Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty while Feta Cheese brings sharp to mild notes.

Which Is Better, Ackawi Cheese or Feta 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 soft, white, aged in brine profile, Feta Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Ackawi Cheese suits recipes that want mild, milky, salty notes, while Feta Cheese fits dishes calling for sharp to mild.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ackawi Cheese the same as Feta Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Ackawi Cheese originates in Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East and Syria, while Feta Cheese comes from Greece. Ackawi Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Feta Cheese uses goat and sheep.

Is Ackawi Cheese similar to Feta Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Ackawi Cheese for Feta Cheese?

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

Does Ackawi Cheese taste like Feta Cheese?

Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty, while Feta Cheese is sharp to mild. Aromas also diverge. Ackawi Cheese leans mild, milky, and Feta Cheese is closer to nutty, strong.

What is Ackawi Cheese made of?

Ackawi Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (pasteurized). It originates in Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East and Syria.

What is Feta Cheese made of?

Feta Cheese is made from goat and sheep milk (pasteurized, sometimes raw). It's typically aged 2 months to longer. It originates in Greece.

Which should I choose, Ackawi Cheese or Feta Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Ackawi Cheese is soft, brined, while Feta Cheese is soft, white, aged in brine.