Anari Cheese vs Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese

Anari Cheese is a soft, crumbly curds goat or sheep-milk cheese from Cyprus, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens 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 Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?

Tomme des Pyrénées is a mild pressed cheese from the French Pyrenees, made from raw or pasteurized cow's milk. It is known for its supple paste, slightly salty taste, and the black or gold wax skin that covers many wheels.

What's the Difference Between Anari Cheese and Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?

• Milk type: Anari Cheese (goat's or sheep's milk), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Cow's milk, goat's milk, mixed milk (cow's milk with ewe's milk or goat's milk, goat's milk with ewe's milk))
• Milk treatment: Anari Cheese (Gradually heated to 149–158°F, then to 194°F), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Heat-treated or raw)
• Texture: Anari Cheese (Soft, crumbly curds), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens)
• Rind: Anari Cheese (natural), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Orange with hints of white, yellow, or grey; black or gold coating for heat-treated milk cheeses)
• Aging: Anari Cheese (Fresh (2-3 days shelf life), Salted (microbiologically safe for up to 6 months)), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type)
• Taste: Anari Cheese (Very mild nutty flavor), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Anari Cheese Taste Like Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?

Anari Cheese reads as very mild nutty flavor, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese brings varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas character. On the nose, Anari Cheese offers highly perishable, nutty, contrasted with Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese's fresh whey to more pronounced aromas. More specifically, Anari Cheese shows similar to italian ricotta, greek mizithra, and lor peyniri of turkey, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese leans toward not excessively bitter. 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 Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese at minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type.

Can You Substitute Anari Cheese for Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?

Anari Cheese can stand in for Tomme des Pyrénées 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, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens. Flavor-wise, Anari Cheese reads as very mild nutty flavor while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese brings varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas notes.

Which Is Better, Anari Cheese or Tomme des Pyrénées 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, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens profile, Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Anari Cheese suits recipes that want very mild nutty flavor notes, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese fits dishes calling for varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Anari Cheese the same as Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Anari Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk; Tomme des Pyrénées 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), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type.

Is Anari Cheese similar to Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Anari Cheese for Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?

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

Does Anari Cheese taste like Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?

Anari Cheese reads as very mild nutty flavor, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas. Aromas also diverge. Anari Cheese leans highly perishable, nutty, and Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is closer to fresh whey to more pronounced aromas.

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 Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese made of?

Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (heat-treated or raw), using coagulating enzyme (not limited to animal rennet) rennet. It's typically aged minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type.

Which should I choose, Anari Cheese or Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Anari Cheese is soft, crumbly curds, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens.