Anari Cheese vs Goat Cheese
Anari Cheese is a soft, crumbly curds goat or sheep-milk cheese from Cyprus, while Goat Cheese is soft, semihard or hard and made from goat milk.
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 Goat Cheese?
Goat cheese, also called chèvre, is cheese made from goat's milk. It is produced around the world in styles ranging from fresh and soft to aged and hard, and is known for the tart, goaty flavor that comes from the milk's medium-chain fatty acids.
What's the Difference Between Anari Cheese and Goat Cheese?
- Milk type: Anari Cheese (goat's or sheep's milk), Goat Cheese (goat)
- Texture: Anari Cheese (Soft, crumbly curds), Goat Cheese (soft, semihard or hard)
- Taste: Anari Cheese (Very mild nutty flavor), Goat Cheese (tart, goaty)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Anari Cheese | Goat Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Cyprus | — |
| Specific Origin | Cyprus | Worldwide |
| Milk Type | Goat's or sheep's milk | Goat |
| Milk Treatment | Gradually heated to 149–158°F, then to 194°F | — |
| Texture | Soft, crumbly curds | Soft, semihard or hard |
| Rind | Natural | — |
| Aging | Fresh (2-3 days shelf life), Salted (microbiologically safe for up to 6 months) | — |
| Taste | Very mild nutty flavor | Tart, goaty |
Taste Comparison: Does Anari Cheese Taste Like Goat Cheese?
Anari Cheese reads as very mild nutty flavor, while Goat Cheese brings tart, goaty character. More specifically, Anari Cheese shows similar to italian ricotta, greek mizithra, and lor peyniri of turkey, while Goat Cheese leans toward tart goat character from caproic and caprylic fatty acids.
Can You Substitute Anari Cheese for Goat Cheese?
Anari Cheese can stand in for Goat 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 soft, semihard or hard. Flavor-wise, Anari Cheese reads as very mild nutty flavor while Goat Cheese brings tart, goaty notes.
Which Is Better, Anari Cheese or Goat 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 soft, semihard or hard profile, Goat Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Anari Cheese suits recipes that want very mild nutty flavor notes, while Goat Cheese fits dishes calling for tart, goaty.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Anari Cheese the same as Goat Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Anari Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk; Goat Cheese uses goat.
Is Anari Cheese similar to Goat Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Anari Cheese for Goat Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Anari Cheese taste like Goat Cheese?
Anari Cheese reads as very mild nutty flavor, while Goat Cheese is tart, goaty.
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 Goat Cheese made of?
Goat Cheese is made from goat milk.
Which should I choose, Anari Cheese or Goat Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Anari Cheese is soft, crumbly curds, while Goat Cheese is soft, semihard or hard.