Armenian String Cheese vs Feta Cheese

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

No. Armenian String Cheese and Feta Cheese are distinct cheeses from Armenia and Greece 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 Feta Cheese?

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

Q: Which should I choose, Armenian String Cheese or Feta 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 Feta Cheese is soft, white, aged in brine and made from goat and sheep milk, originating in Greece.

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 Feta Cheese?

Feta is a Greek brined white cheese made from sheep's milk or a mix of sheep and goat's milk. It is crumbly and slightly grainy, tangy and salty, and it anchors dishes like Greek salad and spanakopita.

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

Origin: Armenian String Cheese (Armenia), Feta Cheese (Greece)
Milk type: Armenian String Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk), Feta Cheese (goat's and sheep's milk)
Milk treatment: Armenian String Cheese (soured skimmed milk), Feta Cheese (Pasteurized, sometimes raw)
Texture: Armenian String Cheese (semi-soft), Feta Cheese (Soft, white, aged in brine)
Aging: Armenian String Cheese (1 to 2 days in factories, longer in brine when made by hand), Feta Cheese (2 months to longer)
Taste: Armenian String Cheese (mild), Feta Cheese (Sharp to mild)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Armenian String Cheese	Feta Cheese
Country of Origin	Armenia	Greece
Specific Origin	Armenia	Mainland Greece And Lesbos Prefecture
Milk Type	Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk	Goat's and sheep's milk
Milk Treatment	Soured skimmed milk	Pasteurized, sometimes raw
Texture	Semi-soft	Soft, white, aged in brine
Rind	—	None
Aging	1 to 2 days in factories, longer in brine when made by hand	2 months to longer
Taste	Mild	Sharp to mild

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

Armenian String Cheese reads as mild, while Feta Cheese brings sharp to mild character. More specifically, Armenian String Cheese shows sharp and sour-milk, moderately salty at 4 to 8% salt, while Feta Cheese leans toward sharp, dry, hard to mild, rich, creamy depending on production methods, breed of animals, season, and diet. can be tangy or creamy. flavors of sheep’s milk, grass, and clover. variety ranges from region to region, and producer to 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 Feta Cheese at 2 months to longer.

Can You Substitute Armenian String Cheese for Feta Cheese?

Armenian String Cheese can stand in for Feta 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, white, aged in brine. Flavor-wise, Armenian String Cheese reads as mild while Feta Cheese brings sharp to mild notes.

Which Is Better, Armenian String Cheese or Feta 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, white, aged in brine profile, Feta Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Armenian String Cheese suits recipes that want mild notes, while Feta Cheese fits dishes calling for sharp to mild.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Armenian String Cheese the same as Feta Cheese?

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

Is Armenian String Cheese similar to Feta Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Armenian String Cheese for Feta Cheese?

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

Does Armenian String Cheese taste like Feta Cheese?

Armenian String Cheese reads as mild, while Feta Cheese is sharp to mild.

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 Feta Cheese made of?

Feta Cheese is made from goat and sheep milk (pasteurized, sometimes raw), using rennet. It's typically aged 2 months to longer. It originates in Greece.

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

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Armenian String Cheese is semi-soft, while Feta Cheese is soft, white, aged in brine.