Ackawi Cheese vs Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese

Q: Is Ackawi Cheese the same as Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese?

No. Ackawi Cheese and Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese are distinct cheeses. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Ackawi Cheese for Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese?

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

Q: Which should I choose, Ackawi Cheese or Picón Bejes-Tresviso 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

Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese

Ackawi Cheese is a soft, brined cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East and Syria, while Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese is soft, semi-hard, compact with eyes and made from cow, goat, and sheep milk.

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 Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese?

Picón-Bejes-Tresviso is a full-fat blue cheese from the Liébana district in Cantabria, Spain. It is made from a blend of cow’s (Tudanca, Brown Alpine, Friesian), ewe’s (Lacha), and goat’s (Pyrenean, Picos de Europa) milk. The cheese has a cylindrical shape with flat faces, a soft, thin, and smooth rind, and a compact paste with eyes, white in color with greenish-blue veins. It has a slightly piquant flavor and undergoes a unique maturation process in natural limestone caves at altitudes between 500 and 2000 meters. The cheeses are placed on wooden boards, turned, and moistened every two weeks to encourage Penicillium growth, which is key to the cheese’s development. Traditionally, it is marketed wrapped in Acer pseudoplatanus (sycamore) leaves. The entire production process is regulated and certified to maintain quality and authenticity.

What's the Difference Between Ackawi Cheese and Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese?

Milk type: Ackawi Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk), Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese (Cow’s, sheep’s, and goat’s milk)
Texture: Ackawi Cheese (soft, brined), Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese (Soft, Semi-Hard, Compact with eyes)
Rind: Ackawi Cheese (natural), Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese (Soft, thin, smooth)
Taste: Ackawi Cheese (mild, milky, salty), Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese (Slightly piquant)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Ackawi Cheese	Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese
Country of Origin	Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East And Syria	—
Specific Origin	—	Liébana District (Potes, Pesaguero, Cabezón De Liébana, Camaleño, Castro Cillorigo, Tresviso, Vega De Liébana, And Peñarrubia)
Milk Type	Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk	Cow’s, sheep’s, and goat’s milk
Milk Treatment	Pasteurized	—
Texture	Soft, brined	Soft, Semi-Hard, Compact with eyes
Rind	Natural	Soft, thin, smooth
Taste	Mild, milky, salty	Slightly piquant

Taste Comparison: Does Ackawi Cheese Taste Like Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese?

Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty, while Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese brings slightly piquant character.

Can You Substitute Ackawi Cheese for Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese?

Ackawi Cheese can stand in for Picón Bejes-Tresviso 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, semi-hard, compact with eyes. Flavor-wise, Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty while Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese brings slightly piquant notes.

Which Is Better, Ackawi Cheese or Picón Bejes-Tresviso 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, semi-hard, compact with eyes profile, Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Ackawi Cheese suits recipes that want mild, milky, salty notes, while Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese fits dishes calling for slightly piquant.

Which is your favorite?

One click, anonymous. See what others chose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ackawi Cheese the same as Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Ackawi Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese uses cow, goat, and sheep.

Is Ackawi Cheese similar to Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Ackawi Cheese for Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese?

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

Does Ackawi Cheese taste like Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese?

Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty, while Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese is slightly piquant.

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 Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese made of?

Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese is made from cow, goat, and sheep milk.

Which should I choose, Ackawi Cheese or Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Ackawi Cheese is soft, brined, while Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese is soft, semi-hard, compact with eyes.