Queijo de Azeitão vs Tulum Cheese
Queijo de Azeitão is a semi-hard, buttery, creamy, unctuous, with infrequent or non-existent eyes sheep-milk cheese from Portugal, while Tulum Cheese is a goat-milk cheese, originating in Turkey.
What Is Queijo de Azeitão?
Queijo de Azeitão is a Portuguese cheese from the town of Azeitão, produced in Setúbal, Palmela and Sesimbra. It holds EU PDO status and was named one of the 50 best gastronomic products in the world at the 2014 Great Taste Awards.
What Is Tulum Cheese?
Tulum is a Turkish goat's milk cheese ripened inside a goatskin casing, which is what the word tulum means in Turkish. It is made in several regions, and versions from Erzincan, İzmir, Divle, Çimi and Kargı each taste different.
What's the Difference Between Queijo de Azeitão and Tulum Cheese?
- Origin: Queijo de Azeitão (Portugal), Tulum Cheese (Turkey)
- Milk type: Queijo de Azeitão (Sheep), Tulum Cheese (goat)
- Aging: Queijo de Azeitão (Minimum curing time is 16 days), Tulum Cheese (about 6 months)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Queijo de Azeitão | Tulum Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Portugal | Turkey |
| Specific Origin | Palmela, Setúbal, And Sesimbra Councils | Turkey |
| Milk Type | Sheep | Goat |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Raw |
| Texture | Semi-hard, buttery, creamy, unctuous, with infrequent or non-existent eyes | — |
| Rind | Malleable, quite soft, whole, well-formed, smooth, fine, yellow, uniform | — |
| Aging | Minimum curing time is 16 days | About 6 months |
| Taste | Slightly piquant, a mix of sharp and salty | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Queijo de Azeitão Taste Like Tulum Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Queijo de Azeitão at minimum curing time is 16 days develops a different profile than Tulum Cheese at about 6 months.
Can You Substitute Queijo de Azeitão for Tulum Cheese?
Queijo de Azeitão can stand in for Tulum Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Queijo de Azeitão or Tulum Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Queijo de Azeitão the same as Tulum Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Queijo de Azeitão originates in Portugal, while Tulum Cheese comes from Turkey. Queijo de Azeitão is made from sheep milk; Tulum Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Queijo de Azeitão is typically aged minimum curing time is 16 days, Tulum Cheese about 6 months.
Is Queijo de Azeitão similar to Tulum Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Queijo de Azeitão for Tulum Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Queijo de Azeitão taste like Tulum Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Queijo de Azeitão made of?
Queijo de Azeitão is made from sheep milk (raw), using cardoon (cynara cardunculus l.) preparation rennet. It's typically aged minimum curing time is 16 days. It originates in Portugal.
What is Tulum Cheese made of?
Tulum Cheese is made from goat milk (raw). It's typically aged about 6 months. It originates in Turkey.
Which should I choose, Queijo de Azeitão or Tulum Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.