Ackawi Cheese vs Traditional Welsh Caerphilly Cheese

Ackawi Cheese is a soft, brined cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Middle East and Syria, while Traditional Welsh Caerphilly Cheese is hard and made from cow 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 Traditional Welsh Caerphilly Cheese?

Traditional Welsh Caerphilly is a hard cheese made in Wales from locally sourced cow’s milk. It can be produced using raw or pasteurized milk and either organic or non-organic methods. The cheese has a mild, slightly lemony taste when young and develops a fuller but still mild flavor with age. It is shaped into flat rounds with a smooth, creamy white texture and may have a slightly molded coat. The texture is smooth, close, and flaky, with natural variations due to artisanal production. It is traditionally made by hand, including cutting the curds into large cubes and lightly pressing the cheese to maintain moisture. The cheese is eaten young from 10 days old but can mature for up to 6 months. Unlike modern block Caerphilly, Traditional Welsh Caerphilly is sold as a "naked" cheese, unbound by cloth.

What's the Difference Between Ackawi Cheese and Traditional Welsh Caerphilly Cheese?

• Milk type: Ackawi Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk), Traditional Welsh Caerphilly Cheese (Cow)
• Milk treatment: Ackawi Cheese (pasteurized), Traditional Welsh Caerphilly Cheese (Raw or Pasteurized)
• Texture: Ackawi Cheese (soft, brined), Traditional Welsh Caerphilly Cheese (Hard)
• Rind: Ackawi Cheese (natural), Traditional Welsh Caerphilly Cheese (Smooth and intact, may have a slightly molded coat, historically dusted with flour or oatmeal)
• Taste: Ackawi Cheese (mild, milky, salty), Traditional Welsh Caerphilly Cheese (Mild, slightly lemony when young, fuller but still mild when aged)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Ackawi Cheese Taste Like Traditional Welsh Caerphilly Cheese?

Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty, while Traditional Welsh Caerphilly Cheese brings mild, slightly lemony when young, fuller but still mild when aged character. On the nose, Ackawi Cheese offers mild, milky, contrasted with Traditional Welsh Caerphilly Cheese's fresh cheese aroma.

Can You Substitute Ackawi Cheese for Traditional Welsh Caerphilly Cheese?

Ackawi Cheese can stand in for Traditional Welsh Caerphilly 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 hard. Flavor-wise, Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty while Traditional Welsh Caerphilly Cheese brings mild, slightly lemony when young, fuller but still mild when aged notes.

Which Is Better, Ackawi Cheese or Traditional Welsh Caerphilly 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 hard profile, Traditional Welsh Caerphilly Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Ackawi Cheese suits recipes that want mild, milky, salty notes, while Traditional Welsh Caerphilly Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, slightly lemony when young, fuller but still mild when aged.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ackawi Cheese the same as Traditional Welsh Caerphilly Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Ackawi Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Traditional Welsh Caerphilly Cheese uses cow.

Is Ackawi Cheese similar to Traditional Welsh Caerphilly Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Ackawi Cheese for Traditional Welsh Caerphilly Cheese?

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

Does Ackawi Cheese taste like Traditional Welsh Caerphilly Cheese?

Ackawi Cheese reads as mild, milky, salty, while Traditional Welsh Caerphilly Cheese is mild, slightly lemony when young, fuller but still mild when aged. Aromas also diverge. Ackawi Cheese leans mild, milky, and Traditional Welsh Caerphilly Cheese is closer to fresh cheese aroma.

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 Traditional Welsh Caerphilly Cheese made of?

Traditional Welsh Caerphilly Cheese is made from cow milk (raw or pasteurized), using traditional rennet. It's typically aged 10 days to 6 months.

Which should I choose, Ackawi Cheese or Traditional Welsh Caerphilly Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Ackawi Cheese is soft, brined, while Traditional Welsh Caerphilly Cheese is hard.