Armenian String Cheese vs Swaledale Cheese
Armenian String Cheese is a semi-soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from Armenia, while Swaledale Cheese is moist, medium firm and made from cow, goat, or sheep 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 Swaledale Cheese?
Swaledale is a full fat hard cheese from Richmond in Swaledale, North Yorkshire, made with unpasteurised cow, sheep or goat milk. It is known for its moist medium firm texture and a rind of grey-blue mould or natural wax.
What's the Difference Between Armenian String Cheese and Swaledale Cheese?
- Origin: Armenian String Cheese (Armenia), Swaledale Cheese (England)
- Milk treatment: Armenian String Cheese (soured skimmed milk), Swaledale Cheese (raw)
- Texture: Armenian String Cheese (semi-soft), Swaledale Cheese (moist, medium firm)
- Aging: Armenian String Cheese (1 to 2 days in factories, longer in brine when made by hand), Swaledale Cheese (3 to 4 weeks)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Armenian String Cheese | Swaledale Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Armenia | England |
| Specific Origin | Armenia | Swaledale, North Yorkshire |
| Milk Type | Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk | Cow, sheep, goat |
| Milk Treatment | Soured skimmed milk | Raw |
| Texture | Semi-soft | Moist, medium firm |
| Rind | — | Grey-blue mould or natural wax |
| Aging | 1 to 2 days in factories, longer in brine when made by hand | 3 to 4 weeks |
| Taste | Mild | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Armenian String Cheese Taste Like Swaledale Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Armenian String Cheese shows sharp and sour-milk, moderately salty at 4 to 8% salt, while Swaledale Cheese leans toward fresh and bracken-like, with a sweet caramel undertone from ewes' milk. 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 Swaledale Cheese at 3 to 4 weeks.
Can You Substitute Armenian String Cheese for Swaledale Cheese?
In most recipes, Armenian String Cheese and Swaledale Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect semi-soft bite and body where the recipe calls for moist, medium firm.
Which Is Better, Armenian String Cheese or Swaledale 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 moist, medium firm profile, Swaledale Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Armenian String Cheese the same as Swaledale Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Armenian String Cheese originates in Armenia, while Swaledale Cheese comes from England. Aging also differs: Armenian String Cheese is typically aged 1 to 2 days in factories, longer in brine when made by hand, Swaledale Cheese 3 to 4 weeks.
Is Armenian String Cheese similar to Swaledale Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow, goat, or sheep-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Armenian String Cheese for Swaledale Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Armenian String Cheese taste like Swaledale Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
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 Swaledale Cheese made of?
Swaledale Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (raw), using rennet added after culturing rennet. It's typically aged 3 to 4 weeks. It originates in England.
Which should I choose, Armenian String Cheese or Swaledale Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Armenian String Cheese is semi-soft, while Swaledale Cheese is moist, medium firm.