Armenian String Cheese vs Cheddar Cheese
Armenian String Cheese is a semi-soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from Armenia, while Cheddar Cheese is varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) and made from cow milk, originating in England.
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 Cheddar Cheese?
Cheddar is a relatively hard, off-white to orange cow's milk cheese from the village of Cheddar in Somerset, South West England. The name is not protected, so it is made worldwide, and it is the UK's most popular cheese at 51% of the national cheese market.
What's the Difference Between Armenian String Cheese and Cheddar Cheese?
- Origin: Armenian String Cheese (Armenia), Cheddar Cheese (England)
- Milk type: Armenian String Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk), Cheddar Cheese (cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Armenian String Cheese (soured skimmed milk), Cheddar Cheese (Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized)
- Texture: Armenian String Cheese (semi-soft), Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline))
- Aging: Armenian String Cheese (1 to 2 days in factories, longer in brine when made by hand), Cheddar Cheese (A few months to several years)
- Taste: Armenian String Cheese (mild), Cheddar Cheese (Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Armenian String Cheese | Cheddar Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Armenia | England |
| Specific Origin | Armenia | Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester) |
| Milk Type | Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Soured skimmed milk | Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized |
| Texture | Semi-soft | Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) |
| Rind | — | Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic) |
| Aging | 1 to 2 days in factories, longer in brine when made by hand | A few months to several years |
| Taste | Mild | Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory |
Taste Comparison: Does Armenian String Cheese Taste Like Cheddar Cheese?
Armenian String Cheese reads as mild, while Cheddar Cheese brings mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory character. More specifically, Armenian String Cheese shows sharp and sour-milk, moderately salty at 4 to 8% salt, while Cheddar Cheese leans toward from mild and buttery to brothy and savory, with distinctive sharpness; variations in sweetness and flavor depending on the producer. 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 Cheddar Cheese at a few months to several years.
Can You Substitute Armenian String Cheese for Cheddar Cheese?
Armenian String Cheese can stand in for Cheddar 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 varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline). Flavor-wise, Armenian String Cheese reads as mild while Cheddar Cheese brings mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory notes.
Which Is Better, Armenian String Cheese or Cheddar 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 varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) profile, Cheddar Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Armenian String Cheese suits recipes that want mild notes, while Cheddar Cheese fits dishes calling for mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Armenian String Cheese the same as Cheddar Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Armenian String Cheese originates in Armenia, while Cheddar Cheese comes from England. Armenian String Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Cheddar Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Armenian String Cheese is typically aged 1 to 2 days in factories, longer in brine when made by hand, Cheddar Cheese a few months to several years.
Is Armenian String Cheese similar to Cheddar Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Armenian String Cheese for Cheddar Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Armenian String Cheese taste like Cheddar Cheese?
Armenian String Cheese reads as mild, while Cheddar Cheese is mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory.
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 Cheddar Cheese made of?
Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk (raw, thermized, pasteurized), using animal; microbial chymosin in vegetarian and kosher versions rennet. It's typically aged a few months to several years. It originates in England.
Which should I choose, Armenian String Cheese or Cheddar Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Armenian String Cheese is semi-soft, while Cheddar Cheese is varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline).