Armenian String Cheese vs Banon Cheese
Armenian String Cheese
Banon Cheese
Armenian String Cheese is a semi-soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from Armenia, while Banon Cheese is creamy, soft, and tender and made from goat milk, originating in France.
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 Is Banon Cheese?
Banon is an unpasteurized goat cheese from Provence, sold as a small 100 g disc wrapped in chestnut leaves and tied with raffia. It ages about two weeks, gets dipped in eau de vie before wrapping, and has held AOC status since July 2003.
What's the Difference Between Armenian String Cheese and Banon Cheese?
- Origin: Armenian String Cheese (Armenia), Banon Cheese (France)
- Milk type: Armenian String Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk), Banon Cheese (goat's milk)
- Milk treatment: Armenian String Cheese (soured skimmed milk), Banon Cheese (unpasteurized)
- Texture: Armenian String Cheese (semi-soft), Banon Cheese (Creamy, soft, and tender)
- Aging: Armenian String Cheese (1 to 2 days in factories, longer in brine when made by hand), Banon Cheese (15 days)
- Taste: Armenian String Cheese (mild), Banon Cheese (Mild and intense, with notes of mushrooms and forest floor)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Armenian String Cheese | Banon Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Armenia | France |
| Specific Origin | Armenia | Provence (Alpes-De-Haute Provence, Hautes-Alpes, Vaucluse, Drome) |
| Milk Type | Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk | Goat's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Soured skimmed milk | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Semi-soft | Creamy, soft, and tender |
| Rind | — | Wrapped in chestnut leaves |
| Aging | 1 to 2 days in factories, longer in brine when made by hand | 15 days |
| Taste | Mild | Mild and intense, with notes of mushrooms and forest floor |
Taste Comparison: Does Armenian String Cheese Taste Like Banon Cheese?
Armenian String Cheese reads as mild, while Banon Cheese brings mild and intense, with notes of mushrooms and forest floor character. More specifically, Armenian String Cheese shows sharp and sour-milk, moderately salty at 4 to 8% salt, while Banon Cheese leans toward pungent. Aging plays into this as well. Armenian String Cheese at 1 to 2 days in factories, longer in brine when made by hand develops a different profile than Banon Cheese at 15 days.
Can You Substitute Armenian String Cheese for Banon Cheese?
Armenian String Cheese can stand in for Banon Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semi-soft bite and body where the recipe calls for creamy, soft, and tender. Flavor-wise, Armenian String Cheese reads as mild while Banon Cheese brings mild and intense, with notes of mushrooms and forest floor notes.
Which Is Better, Armenian String Cheese or Banon Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-soft cheese, go with Armenian String Cheese. For a creamy, soft, and tender profile, Banon Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Armenian String Cheese suits recipes that want mild notes, while Banon Cheese fits dishes calling for mild and intense, with notes of mushrooms and forest floor.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Armenian String Cheese the same as Banon Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Armenian String Cheese originates in Armenia, while Banon Cheese comes from France. Armenian String Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Banon Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Armenian String Cheese is typically aged 1 to 2 days in factories, longer in brine when made by hand, Banon Cheese 15 days.
Is Armenian String Cheese similar to Banon Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Armenian String Cheese for Banon Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Armenian String Cheese taste like Banon Cheese?
Armenian String Cheese reads as mild, while Banon Cheese is mild and intense, with notes of mushrooms and forest floor.
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.
What is Banon Cheese made of?
Banon Cheese is made from goat milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged 15 days. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Armenian String Cheese or Banon Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Armenian String Cheese is semi-soft, while Banon Cheese is creamy, soft, and tender.