Anari Cheese vs Armenian String Cheese
Anari Cheese
Armenian String Cheese
Anari Cheese is a soft, crumbly curds goat or sheep-milk cheese from Cyprus, while Armenian String Cheese is semi-soft and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk, originating in Armenia.
What Is Anari Cheese?
Anari is a fresh, mild whey cheese from Cyprus, made mostly from the whey left over from halloumi or kefalotyri. Soft and chalk-white when young, it is eaten with carob syrup or honey, or salted and dried into a hard cheese for grating.
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 Anari Cheese and Armenian String Cheese?
- Origin: Anari Cheese (Cyprus), Armenian String Cheese (Armenia)
- Milk type: Anari Cheese (goat's or sheep's milk), Armenian String Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk)
- Milk treatment: Anari Cheese (Gradually heated to 149–158°F, then to 194°F), Armenian String Cheese (soured skimmed milk)
- Texture: Anari Cheese (Soft, crumbly curds), Armenian String Cheese (semi-soft)
- Aging: Anari Cheese (Fresh (2-3 days shelf life), Salted (microbiologically safe for up to 6 months)), Armenian String Cheese (1 to 2 days in factories, longer in brine when made by hand)
- Taste: Anari Cheese (Very mild nutty flavor), Armenian String Cheese (mild)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Anari Cheese | Armenian String Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Cyprus | Armenia |
| Specific Origin | Cyprus | Armenia |
| Milk Type | Goat's or sheep's milk | Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Gradually heated to 149–158°F, then to 194°F | Soured skimmed milk |
| Texture | Soft, crumbly curds | Semi-soft |
| Rind | Natural | — |
| Aging | Fresh (2-3 days shelf life), Salted (microbiologically safe for up to 6 months) | 1 to 2 days in factories, longer in brine when made by hand |
| Taste | Very mild nutty flavor | Mild |
Taste Comparison: Does Anari Cheese Taste Like Armenian String Cheese?
Anari Cheese reads as very mild nutty flavor, while Armenian String Cheese brings mild character. More specifically, Anari Cheese shows similar to italian ricotta, greek mizithra, and lor peyniri of turkey, while Armenian String Cheese leans toward sharp and sour-milk, moderately salty at 4 to 8% salt. Aging plays into this as well. Anari Cheese at fresh (2-3 days shelf life), salted (microbiologically safe for up to 6 months) develops a different profile than Armenian String Cheese at 1 to 2 days in factories, longer in brine when made by hand.
Can You Substitute Anari Cheese for Armenian String Cheese?
Anari Cheese can stand in for Armenian String Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, crumbly curds bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft. Flavor-wise, Anari Cheese reads as very mild nutty flavor while Armenian String Cheese brings mild notes.
Which Is Better, Anari Cheese or Armenian String Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, crumbly curds cheese, go with Anari Cheese. For a semi-soft profile, Armenian String Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Anari Cheese suits recipes that want very mild nutty flavor notes, while Armenian String Cheese fits dishes calling for mild.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Anari Cheese the same as Armenian String Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Anari Cheese originates in Cyprus, while Armenian String Cheese comes from Armenia. Anari Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk; Armenian String Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep. Aging also differs: Anari Cheese is typically aged fresh (2-3 days shelf life), salted (microbiologically safe for up to 6 months), Armenian String Cheese 1 to 2 days in factories, longer in brine when made by hand.
Is Anari Cheese similar to Armenian String Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Anari Cheese for Armenian String Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Anari Cheese taste like Armenian String Cheese?
Anari Cheese reads as very mild nutty flavor, while Armenian String Cheese is mild.
What is Anari Cheese made of?
Anari Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk (gradually heated to 149–158°f, then to 194°f). It's typically aged fresh (2-3 days shelf life), salted (microbiologically safe for up to 6 months). It originates in Cyprus.
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, Anari Cheese or Armenian String Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Anari Cheese is soft, crumbly curds, while Armenian String Cheese is semi-soft.