Ackawi Cheese vs Κρασοτύρι Κω / Krasotiri Ko / Τυρί της Πόσιας / Tiri tis Possias Cheese
Ackawi Cheese is a soft, brined cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East and Syria, while Κρασοτύρι Κω / Krasotiri Ko / Τυρί της Πόσιας / Tiri tis Possias Cheese is soft and made from goat or sheep milk.
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 Κρασοτύρι Κω / Krasotiri Ko / Τυρί της Πόσιας / Tiri tis Possias Cheese?
Krasotiri Ko, also known as Tiri tis Possias, is a traditional cheese from the island of Kos in Greece. It is a soft cheese made from either pasteurized or raw goat's or sheep's milk, or a blend of both. The cheese is ripened for at least one day in brine and then for at least one month in wine lees, known as "possia," which gives it a pronounced wine aroma and mildly acidic taste. The cheese is completely white inside, with a reddish tinge on the outside due to the wine lees. It has a unique shape, being a long, asymmetrical cylinder with indentations from the cheese mold used during production. The cheese has a minimum fat content of 43% in dry matter and a maximum moisture content of 56%. Krasotiri Ko is a product of the island's distinctive microclimate and rich flora, which contribute to the specific quality characteristics of the milk used.
What's the Difference Between Ackawi Cheese and Κρασοτύρι Κω / Krasotiri Ko / Τυρί της Πόσιας / Tiri tis Possias Cheese?
- Milk type: Ackawi Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk), Κρασοτύρι Κω / Krasotiri Ko / Τυρί της Πόσιας / Tiri tis Possias Cheese (Goat's milk, sheep's milk, or a blend of both)
- Milk treatment: Ackawi Cheese (pasteurized), Κρασοτύρι Κω / Krasotiri Ko / Τυρί της Πόσιας / Tiri tis Possias Cheese (Pasteurized or raw)
- Texture: Ackawi Cheese (soft, brined), Κρασοτύρι Κω / Krasotiri Ko / Τυρί της Πόσιας / Tiri tis Possias Cheese (Soft)
- Aging: Ackawi Cheese (2 days in brine), Κρασοτύρι Κω / Krasotiri Ko / Τυρί της Πόσιας / Tiri tis Possias Cheese (Ripened for at least one day in brine and at least one month in wine lees)
- Taste: Ackawi Cheese (mild, milky, salty), Κρασοτύρι Κω / Krasotiri Ko / Τυρί της Πόσιας / Tiri tis Possias Cheese (Mildly acidic)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Ackawi Cheese | Κρασοτύρι Κω / Krasotiri Ko / Τυρί της Πόσιας / Tiri tis Possias Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East And Syria | — |
| Specific Origin | The Levant, Middle East | Island Of Kos |
| Milk Type | Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk | Goat's milk, sheep's milk, or a blend of both |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Pasteurized or raw |
| Texture | Soft, brined | Soft |
| Rind | Natural | — |
| Aging | 2 days in brine | Ripened for at least one day in brine and at least one month in wine lees |
| Taste | Mild, milky, salty | Mildly acidic |
Taste Comparison: Does Ackawi Cheese Taste Like Κρασοτύρι Κω / Krasotiri Ko / Τυρί της Πόσιας / Tiri tis Possias Cheese?
Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty, while Κρασοτύρι Κω / Krasotiri Ko / Τυρί της Πόσιας / Tiri tis Possias Cheese brings mildly acidic character. On the nose, Ackawi Cheese offers mild, milky, contrasted with Κρασοτύρι Κω / Krasotiri Ko / Τυρί της Πόσιας / Tiri tis Possias Cheese's pronounced wine aroma. Aging plays into this as well. Ackawi Cheese at 2 days in brine develops a different profile than Κρασοτύρι Κω / Krasotiri Ko / Τυρί της Πόσιας / Tiri tis Possias Cheese at ripened for at least one day in brine and at least one month in wine lees.
Can You Substitute Ackawi Cheese for Κρασοτύρι Κω / Krasotiri Ko / Τυρί της Πόσιας / Tiri tis Possias Cheese?
Ackawi Cheese can stand in for Κρασοτύρι Κω / Krasotiri Ko / Τυρί της Πόσιας / Tiri tis Possias 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. Flavor-wise, Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty while Κρασοτύρι Κω / Krasotiri Ko / Τυρί της Πόσιας / Tiri tis Possias Cheese brings mildly acidic notes.
Which Is Better, Ackawi Cheese or Κρασοτύρι Κω / Krasotiri Ko / Τυρί της Πόσιας / Tiri tis Possias 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 profile, Κρασοτύρι Κω / Krasotiri Ko / Τυρί της Πόσιας / Tiri tis Possias Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Ackawi Cheese suits recipes that want mild, milky, salty notes, while Κρασοτύρι Κω / Krasotiri Ko / Τυρί της Πόσιας / Tiri tis Possias Cheese fits dishes calling for mildly acidic.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ackawi Cheese the same as Κρασοτύρι Κω / Krasotiri Ko / Τυρί της Πόσιας / Tiri tis Possias Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Ackawi Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Κρασοτύρι Κω / Krasotiri Ko / Τυρί της Πόσιας / Tiri tis Possias Cheese uses goat or sheep. Aging also differs: Ackawi Cheese is typically aged 2 days in brine, Κρασοτύρι Κω / Krasotiri Ko / Τυρί της Πόσιας / Tiri tis Possias Cheese ripened for at least one day in brine and at least one month in wine lees.
Is Ackawi Cheese similar to Κρασοτύρι Κω / Krasotiri Ko / Τυρί της Πόσιας / Tiri tis Possias Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Ackawi Cheese for Κρασοτύρι Κω / Krasotiri Ko / Τυρί της Πόσιας / Tiri tis Possias Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Ackawi Cheese taste like Κρασοτύρι Κω / Krasotiri Ko / Τυρί της Πόσιας / Tiri tis Possias Cheese?
Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty, while Κρασοτύρι Κω / Krasotiri Ko / Τυρί της Πόσιας / Tiri tis Possias Cheese is mildly acidic. Aromas also diverge. Ackawi Cheese leans mild, milky, and Κρασοτύρι Κω / Krasotiri Ko / Τυρί της Πόσιας / Tiri tis Possias Cheese is closer to pronounced wine aroma.
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 Κρασοτύρι Κω / Krasotiri Ko / Τυρί της Πόσιας / Tiri tis Possias Cheese made of?
Κρασοτύρι Κω / Krasotiri Ko / Τυρί της Πόσιας / Tiri tis Possias Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk (pasteurized or raw), using traditionally or commercially produced animal rennet. It's typically aged ripened for at least one day in brine and at least one month in wine lees.
Which should I choose, Ackawi Cheese or Κρασοτύρι Κω / Krasotiri Ko / Τυρί της Πόσιας / Tiri tis Possias Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Ackawi Cheese is soft, brined, while Κρασοτύρι Κω / Krasotiri Ko / Τυρί της Πόσιας / Tiri tis Possias Cheese is soft.