American Cheese vs Armenian String Cheese

American Cheese is a semi-soft, processed cow-milk cheese from United States, while Armenian String Cheese is semi-soft and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk, originating in Armenia.

What Is American Cheese?

American cheese is a processed cheese made from cheddar, Colby, or similar cheeses with sodium citrate added so it pasteurizes without separating. It is mild, salty, and medium-firm, and it melts at a low temperature, which is why it lands on burgers and in grilled cheese.

What Is Armenian String Cheese?

Chechil, also called Armenian string cheese, is a brined pasta filata cheese from Armenia, sold as bundles of thick or thin fibrous threads that are often tied into ropes, braids or balls. It is frequently smoked and tastes sharp and sour with moderate salt.

What's the Difference Between American Cheese and Armenian String Cheese?

• Origin: American Cheese (United States), Armenian String Cheese (Armenia)
• Milk type: American Cheese (Cow's milk), Armenian String Cheese (Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk)
• Milk treatment: American Cheese (pastuerized), Armenian String Cheese (soured skimmed milk)
• Texture: American Cheese (Semi-soft, processed), Armenian String Cheese (Semi-soft)
• Taste: American Cheese (mild, salty), Armenian String Cheese (mild)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does American Cheese Taste Like Armenian String Cheese?

American Cheese reads as mild, salty, while Armenian String Cheese brings mild character. More specifically, American Cheese shows neutral and mild, salty, pairs with a range of meats and other ingredients, while Armenian String Cheese leans toward sharp and sour-milk, moderately salty at 4 to 8% salt.

Can You Substitute American Cheese for Armenian String Cheese?

American Cheese can stand in for Armenian String Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semi-soft, processed bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft. Flavor-wise, American Cheese reads as mild, salty while Armenian String Cheese brings mild notes.

Which Is Better, American Cheese or Armenian String Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-soft, processed cheese, go with American Cheese. For a semi-soft profile, Armenian String Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, American Cheese suits recipes that want mild, salty notes, while Armenian String Cheese fits dishes calling for mild.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is American Cheese the same as Armenian String Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. American Cheese originates in United States, while Armenian String Cheese comes from Armenia. American Cheese is made from cow milk; Armenian String Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep.

Is American Cheese similar to Armenian String Cheese?

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

Can I substitute American Cheese for Armenian String Cheese?

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

Does American Cheese taste like Armenian String Cheese?

American Cheese reads as mild, salty, while Armenian String Cheese is mild.

What is American Cheese made of?

American Cheese is made from cow milk (pastuerized). It originates in United States.

What is Armenian String Cheese made of?

Armenian String Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (soured skimmed milk), using animal rennet. It's typically aged 1 to 2 days in factories, longer in brine when made by hand. It originates in Armenia.

Which should I choose, American Cheese or Armenian String Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. American Cheese is semi-soft, processed, while Armenian String Cheese is semi-soft.