Armenian String Cheese vs Edam Cheese

Q: Is Armenian String Cheese the same as Edam Cheese?

No. Armenian String Cheese and Edam Cheese are distinct cheeses from Armenia and Netherlands respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Armenian String Cheese for Edam Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Armenian String Cheese for Edam Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Which should I choose, Armenian String Cheese or Edam Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Armenian String Cheese is a semi-soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from Armenia, while Edam Cheese is rubber-textured to crystalline and made from cow milk, originating in Netherlands.

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 Edam Cheese?

Edam is a semi-hard Dutch cheese named after the town of Edam in North Holland, sold in flat-ended spheres under a red wax rind. It hardens rather than spoils, which made it the world's most popular cheese from the 14th to the 18th century.

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

Origin: Armenian String Cheese (Armenia), Edam Cheese (Netherlands)
Milk type: Armenian String Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk), Edam Cheese (cow's milk)
Milk treatment: Armenian String Cheese (soured skimmed milk), Edam Cheese (pasteurized)
Texture: Armenian String Cheese (semi-soft), Edam Cheese (Rubber-textured to crystalline)
Aging: Armenian String Cheese (1 to 2 days in factories, longer in brine when made by hand), Edam Cheese (3 months to longer)
Taste: Armenian String Cheese (mild), Edam Cheese (Sweet, milky, nutty, buttery)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Armenian String Cheese	Edam Cheese
Country of Origin	Armenia	Netherlands
Specific Origin	Armenia	North Of Holland
Milk Type	Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	Soured skimmed milk	Pasteurized
Texture	Semi-soft	Rubber-textured to crystalline
Rind	—	Smooth, waxed
Aging	1 to 2 days in factories, longer in brine when made by hand	3 months to longer
Taste	Mild	Sweet, milky, nutty, buttery

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

Armenian String Cheese reads as mild, while Edam Cheese brings sweet, milky, nutty, buttery character. More specifically, Armenian String Cheese shows sharp and sour-milk, moderately salty at 4 to 8% salt, while Edam Cheese leans toward sweet milky-ness, light brazil nut and almond tones, gentle buttery-ness, aged variants show caramel and roasted nut qualities. 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 Edam Cheese at 3 months to longer.

Can You Substitute Armenian String Cheese for Edam Cheese?

Armenian String Cheese can stand in for Edam 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 rubber-textured to crystalline. Flavor-wise, Armenian String Cheese reads as mild while Edam Cheese brings sweet, milky, nutty, buttery notes.

Which Is Better, Armenian String Cheese or Edam 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 rubber-textured to crystalline profile, Edam Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Armenian String Cheese suits recipes that want mild notes, while Edam Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet, milky, nutty, buttery.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Armenian String Cheese the same as Edam Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Armenian String Cheese originates in Armenia, while Edam Cheese comes from Netherlands. Armenian String Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Edam 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, Edam Cheese 3 months to longer.

Is Armenian String Cheese similar to Edam Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Armenian String Cheese for Edam Cheese?

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

Does Armenian String Cheese taste like Edam Cheese?

Armenian String Cheese reads as mild, while Edam Cheese is sweet, milky, nutty, buttery.

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 Edam Cheese made of?

Edam Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 3 months to longer. It originates in Netherlands.

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

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Armenian String Cheese is semi-soft, while Edam Cheese is rubber-textured to crystalline.