Ackawi Cheese vs Minas cheese

Ackawi Cheese is a soft, brined cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East and Syria, while Minas cheese is semi-soft, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in Brazil.

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 Minas cheese?

Minas cheese is a cow's milk cheese from the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, sold fresh as frescal or aged as curado. UNESCO listed it as intangible cultural heritage in December 2024.

What's the Difference Between Ackawi Cheese and Minas cheese?

• Origin: Ackawi Cheese (Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East and Syria), Minas cheese (Brazil)
• Milk type: Ackawi Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk), Minas cheese (cow's milk)
• Milk treatment: Ackawi Cheese (pasteurized), Minas cheese (unpasteurized)
• Texture: Ackawi Cheese (soft, brined), Minas cheese (semi-soft, artisan)
• Rind: Ackawi Cheese (natural), Minas cheese (rindless)
• Aging: Ackawi Cheese (2 days in brine), Minas cheese (frescal about 4 to 10 days)
• Taste: Ackawi Cheese (mild, milky, salty), Minas cheese (bitter, mild, salty, strong)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Ackawi Cheese Taste Like Minas cheese?

Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty, while Minas cheese brings bitter, mild, salty, strong character. Aging plays into this as well. Ackawi Cheese at 2 days in brine develops a different profile than Minas cheese at frescal about 4 to 10 days.

Can You Substitute Ackawi Cheese for Minas cheese?

Ackawi Cheese can stand in for Minas 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 semi-soft, artisan. Flavor-wise, Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty while Minas cheese brings bitter, mild, salty, strong notes.

Which Is Better, Ackawi Cheese or Minas 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 semi-soft, artisan profile, Minas cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Ackawi Cheese suits recipes that want mild, milky, salty notes, while Minas cheese fits dishes calling for bitter, mild, salty, strong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ackawi Cheese the same as Minas cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Ackawi Cheese originates in Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East and Syria, while Minas cheese comes from Brazil. Ackawi Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Minas cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Ackawi Cheese is typically aged 2 days in brine, Minas cheese frescal about 4 to 10 days.

Is Ackawi Cheese similar to Minas cheese?

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

Can I substitute Ackawi Cheese for Minas cheese?

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

Does Ackawi Cheese taste like Minas cheese?

Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty, while Minas cheese is bitter, mild, salty, strong.

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 Minas cheese made of?

Minas cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged frescal about 4 to 10 days. It originates in Brazil.

Which should I choose, Ackawi Cheese or Minas cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Ackawi Cheese is soft, brined, while Minas cheese is semi-soft, artisan.