Anari Cheese vs Soft Cheese

Anari Cheese is a soft, crumbly curds goat or sheep-milk cheese from Cyprus, while Soft Cheese is spreadable, smooth to runny and made from cow, goat, or sheep 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 Soft Cheese?

Soft cheese is the moisture category at the wet end of the scale, holding 55 to 80 percent moisture against its dry weight. It covers soft-ripened cheeses like Brie and Camembert, some blue and pasta filata cheeses, and fresh cheeses, and it is known for being spreadable.

What's the Difference Between Anari Cheese and Soft Cheese?

• Milk type: Anari Cheese (goat's or sheep's milk), Soft Cheese (cow, goat, sheep)
• Texture: Anari Cheese (Soft, crumbly curds), Soft Cheese (spreadable, smooth to runny)
• Rind: Anari Cheese (natural), Soft Cheese (bloomy white mold rind, or washed)
• Aging: Anari Cheese (Fresh (2-3 days shelf life), Salted (microbiologically safe for up to 6 months)), Soft Cheese (unmatured to about 1 month)
• Taste: Anari Cheese (Very mild nutty flavor), Soft Cheese (mild)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Anari Cheese Taste Like Soft Cheese?

Anari Cheese reads as very mild nutty flavor, while Soft Cheese brings mild character. 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 Soft Cheese at unmatured to about 1 month.

Can You Substitute Anari Cheese for Soft Cheese?

Anari Cheese can stand in for Soft 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 spreadable, smooth to runny. Flavor-wise, Anari Cheese reads as very mild nutty flavor while Soft Cheese brings mild notes.

Which Is Better, Anari Cheese or Soft 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 spreadable, smooth to runny profile, Soft Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Anari Cheese suits recipes that want very mild nutty flavor notes, while Soft Cheese fits dishes calling for mild.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Anari Cheese the same as Soft Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Anari Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk; Soft 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), Soft Cheese unmatured to about 1 month.

Is Anari Cheese similar to Soft Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Anari Cheese for Soft Cheese?

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

Does Anari Cheese taste like Soft Cheese?

Anari Cheese reads as very mild nutty flavor, while Soft 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 Soft Cheese made of?

Soft Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk. It's typically aged unmatured to about 1 month.

Which should I choose, Anari Cheese or Soft Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Anari Cheese is soft, crumbly curds, while Soft Cheese is spreadable, smooth to runny.