Armenian String Cheese vs Brocciu Cheese

Armenian String Cheese is a semi-soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from Armenia, while Brocciu Cheese is soft, creamy and made from goat or sheep 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 Brocciu Cheese?

Brocciu is a Corsican cheese made from a mix of whey and ewe's milk. It is eaten fresh or ripened for a few weeks, and it holds less lactose than Italian ricotta, which it often replaces.

What's the Difference Between Armenian String Cheese and Brocciu Cheese?

• Origin: Armenian String Cheese (Armenia), Brocciu Cheese (France)
• Milk type: Armenian String Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk), Brocciu Cheese (goat's or sheep's milk)
• Milk treatment: Armenian String Cheese (soured skimmed milk), Brocciu Cheese (pasteurized)
• Texture: Armenian String Cheese (semi-soft), Brocciu Cheese (Soft, creamy)
• Aging: Armenian String Cheese (1 to 2 days in factories, longer in brine when made by hand), Brocciu Cheese (Fresh or matured)
• Taste: Armenian String Cheese (mild), Brocciu Cheese (Meltingly creamy, saltier when matured)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Armenian String Cheese Taste Like Brocciu Cheese?

Armenian String Cheese reads as mild, while Brocciu Cheese brings meltingly creamy, saltier when matured character. More specifically, Armenian String Cheese shows sharp and sour-milk, moderately salty at 4 to 8% salt, while Brocciu Cheese leans toward creamy, delicious aroma; becomes saltier and more intense when matured. 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 Brocciu Cheese at fresh or matured.

Can You Substitute Armenian String Cheese for Brocciu Cheese?

Armenian String Cheese can stand in for Brocciu 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 soft, creamy. Flavor-wise, Armenian String Cheese reads as mild while Brocciu Cheese brings meltingly creamy, saltier when matured notes.

Which Is Better, Armenian String Cheese or Brocciu 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 soft, creamy profile, Brocciu Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Armenian String Cheese suits recipes that want mild notes, while Brocciu Cheese fits dishes calling for meltingly creamy, saltier when matured.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Armenian String Cheese the same as Brocciu Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Armenian String Cheese originates in Armenia, while Brocciu Cheese comes from France. Armenian String Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Brocciu Cheese uses goat or sheep. Aging also differs: Armenian String Cheese is typically aged 1 to 2 days in factories, longer in brine when made by hand, Brocciu Cheese fresh or matured.

Is Armenian String Cheese similar to Brocciu Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Armenian String Cheese for Brocciu Cheese?

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

Does Armenian String Cheese taste like Brocciu Cheese?

Armenian String Cheese reads as mild, while Brocciu Cheese is meltingly creamy, saltier when matured.

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 Brocciu Cheese made of?

Brocciu Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged fresh or matured. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Armenian String Cheese or Brocciu Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Armenian String Cheese is semi-soft, while Brocciu Cheese is soft, creamy.