Barrel Aged Feta Cheese vs Roumy Cheese

Barrel Aged Feta Cheese is a soft, artisan cow, goat, and sheep-milk cheese from Greece, while Roumy Cheese is hard and made from cow and buffalo milk, originating in Egypt.

What Is Barrel Aged Feta Cheese?

Barrel Aged Feta is a traditional Greek cheese made from a blend of cow's, goat's, and sheep's milk. This pasteurized cheese is aged in barrels, which contributes to its creamy texture and rich aroma. It has a soft, artisan texture that makes it perfect for crumbling over salads or incorporating into various dishes. The flavor is creamy yet tangy, offering a balanced taste that works well in both savory and sweet recipes. The cheese is white in color, typical of feta, and brings a rich, full-bodied experience to the palate. Barrel aging adds a depth to its flavor profile, making it a staple in Mediterranean cuisine.

What Is Roumy Cheese?

Rumi, also spelled Roumy, is the main hard cheese of Egypt, made from cow's or buffalo milk with no starter culture. Three to four months of aging give it an open texture, a pungent smell and a sharp flavor that gets saltier with age.

What's the Difference Between Barrel Aged Feta Cheese and Roumy Cheese?

• Origin: Barrel Aged Feta Cheese (Greece), Roumy Cheese (Egypt)
• Milk type: Barrel Aged Feta Cheese (cow's, goat's and sheep's milk), Roumy Cheese (cow's and water buffalo's milk)
• Texture: Barrel Aged Feta Cheese (soft, artisan), Roumy Cheese (hard)
• Taste: Barrel Aged Feta Cheese (creamy), Roumy Cheese (salty, sharp, strong)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Barrel Aged Feta Cheese Taste Like Roumy Cheese?

Barrel Aged Feta Cheese reads as creamy, while Roumy Cheese brings salty, sharp, strong character. On the nose, Barrel Aged Feta Cheese offers rich, contrasted with Roumy Cheese's pungent.

Can You Substitute Barrel Aged Feta Cheese for Roumy Cheese?

Barrel Aged Feta Cheese can stand in for Roumy Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, artisan bite and body where the recipe calls for hard. Flavor-wise, Barrel Aged Feta Cheese reads as creamy while Roumy Cheese brings salty, sharp, strong notes.

Which Is Better, Barrel Aged Feta Cheese or Roumy Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, artisan cheese, go with Barrel Aged Feta Cheese. For a hard profile, Roumy Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Barrel Aged Feta Cheese suits recipes that want creamy notes, while Roumy Cheese fits dishes calling for salty, sharp, strong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Barrel Aged Feta Cheese the same as Roumy Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Barrel Aged Feta Cheese originates in Greece, while Roumy Cheese comes from Egypt. Barrel Aged Feta Cheese is made from cow, goat, and sheep milk; Roumy Cheese uses cow and buffalo.

Is Barrel Aged Feta Cheese similar to Roumy Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Barrel Aged Feta Cheese for Roumy Cheese?

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

Does Barrel Aged Feta Cheese taste like Roumy Cheese?

Barrel Aged Feta Cheese reads as creamy, while Roumy Cheese is salty, sharp, strong. Aromas also diverge. Barrel Aged Feta Cheese leans rich, and Roumy Cheese is closer to pungent.

What is Barrel Aged Feta Cheese made of?

Barrel Aged Feta Cheese is made from cow, goat, and sheep milk (pasteurized). It originates in Greece.

What is Roumy Cheese made of?

Roumy Cheese is made from cow and buffalo milk. It's typically aged 3 to 4 months. It originates in Egypt.

Which should I choose, Barrel Aged Feta Cheese or Roumy Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Barrel Aged Feta Cheese is soft, artisan, while Roumy Cheese is hard.