Ackawi Cheese vs Quesucos de Liébana Cheese

Ackawi Cheese is a soft, brined cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East and Syria, while Quesucos de Liébana Cheese is firm, compact and made from cow, goat, or 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 Quesucos de Liébana Cheese?

Quesucos de Liébana is a full-fat cheese from the Liébana district in Cantabria, Spain. It is made from a blend of cow’s, ewe’s, and goat’s milk, specifically from the Tudanca, Brown Alpine, Friesian, Lacha, Pyrenean, and Picos de Europa breeds. The cheese is cylindrical or wheel-shaped with a firm, compact, yellowish paste containing a few irregularly distributed eyes. It can be smoked, giving it a characteristic aroma, color, and flavor. The cheese is coagulated with rennet at 28–32°C for at least 45 minutes and dry-salted. The traditional production method has been practiced in the region since ancient times, reflecting the area’s mountainous terrain, high rainfall, and limy soils that support local livestock feed.

What's the Difference Between Ackawi Cheese and Quesucos de Liébana Cheese?

• Texture: Ackawi Cheese (soft, brined), Quesucos de Liébana Cheese (Firm, compact)
• Taste: Ackawi Cheese (mild, milky, salty), Quesucos de Liébana Cheese (Mild and milky, with a smoked variant offering a distinct smoky taste)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Ackawi Cheese Taste Like Quesucos de Liébana Cheese?

Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty, while Quesucos de Liébana Cheese brings mild and milky, with a smoked variant offering a distinct smoky taste character. On the nose, Ackawi Cheese offers mild, milky, contrasted with Quesucos de Liébana Cheese's natural or smoked, depending on the variety.

Can You Substitute Ackawi Cheese for Quesucos de Liébana Cheese?

In most recipes, Ackawi Cheese and Quesucos de Liébana Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect soft, brined bite and body where the recipe calls for firm, compact. Flavor-wise, Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty while Quesucos de Liébana Cheese brings mild and milky, with a smoked variant offering a distinct smoky taste notes.

Which Is Better, Ackawi Cheese or Quesucos de Liébana 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 firm, compact profile, Quesucos de Liébana Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Ackawi Cheese suits recipes that want mild, milky, salty notes, while Quesucos de Liébana Cheese fits dishes calling for mild and milky, with a smoked variant offering a distinct smoky taste.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ackawi Cheese the same as Quesucos de Liébana Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses.

Is Ackawi Cheese similar to Quesucos de Liébana Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow, goat, or sheep-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Ackawi Cheese for Quesucos de Liébana Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Ackawi Cheese taste like Quesucos de Liébana Cheese?

Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty, while Quesucos de Liébana Cheese is mild and milky, with a smoked variant offering a distinct smoky taste. Aromas also diverge. Ackawi Cheese leans mild, milky, and Quesucos de Liébana Cheese is closer to natural or smoked, depending on the variety.

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 Quesucos de Liébana Cheese made of?

Quesucos de Liébana Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk, using animal rennet.

Which should I choose, Ackawi Cheese or Quesucos de Liébana Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Ackawi Cheese is soft, brined, while Quesucos de Liébana Cheese is firm, compact.