Ackawi Cheese vs Stracchino Cheese

Ackawi Cheese is a soft, brined cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East and Syria, while Stracchino Cheese is very soft, creamy and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

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 Stracchino Cheese?

Stracchino, also called crescenza, is an Italian cow's milk cheese made in Lombardy, Tuscany, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Liguria. It is eaten very young, with no rind, a soft creamy body and a mild, slightly acidic flavor.

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

• Origin: Ackawi Cheese (Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East and Syria), Stracchino Cheese (Italy)
• Milk type: Ackawi Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk), Stracchino Cheese (cow)
• Texture: Ackawi Cheese (soft, brined), Stracchino Cheese (very soft, creamy)
• Rind: Ackawi Cheese (natural), Stracchino Cheese (none)
• Aging: Ackawi Cheese (2 days in brine), Stracchino Cheese (eaten very young)
• Taste: Ackawi Cheese (mild, milky, salty), Stracchino Cheese (mild, slightly acidic)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Ackawi Cheese Taste Like Stracchino Cheese?

Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty, while Stracchino Cheese brings mild, slightly acidic character. Aging plays into this as well. Ackawi Cheese at 2 days in brine develops a different profile than Stracchino Cheese at eaten very young.

Can You Substitute Ackawi Cheese for Stracchino Cheese?

Ackawi Cheese can stand in for Stracchino 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 very soft, creamy. Flavor-wise, Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty while Stracchino Cheese brings mild, slightly acidic notes.

Which Is Better, Ackawi Cheese or Stracchino 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 very soft, creamy profile, Stracchino Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Ackawi Cheese suits recipes that want mild, milky, salty notes, while Stracchino Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, slightly acidic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ackawi Cheese the same as Stracchino Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Ackawi Cheese originates in Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East and Syria, while Stracchino Cheese comes from Italy. Ackawi Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Stracchino Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Ackawi Cheese is typically aged 2 days in brine, Stracchino Cheese eaten very young.

Is Ackawi Cheese similar to Stracchino Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Ackawi Cheese for Stracchino Cheese?

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

Does Ackawi Cheese taste like Stracchino Cheese?

Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty, while Stracchino Cheese is mild, slightly acidic.

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 Stracchino Cheese made of?

Stracchino Cheese is made from cow milk. It's typically aged eaten very young. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Ackawi Cheese or Stracchino Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Ackawi Cheese is soft, brined, while Stracchino Cheese is very soft, creamy.