Batzos Cheese vs Scamorza Cheese
Batzos Cheese is a semihard goat and sheep-milk cheese from Greece, while Scamorza Cheese is semi-soft and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Batzos Cheese?
Batzos is a Greek brined cheese made from sheep's milk, goat's milk, or a mixture of the two. It is rindless, semi-hard to hard, full of irregular holes, and salty with a slightly piquant edge. It has held EU PDO status since 1996.
What Is Scamorza Cheese?
Scamorza is a southern Italian pasta filata cheese, usually made from cow's milk. It is tied with string and hung to dry into a pear-like shape, sold unsmoked or smoked, and works as a substitute for mozzarella in most dishes.
What's the Difference Between Batzos Cheese and Scamorza Cheese?
- Origin: Batzos Cheese (Greece), Scamorza Cheese (Italy)
- Milk type: Batzos Cheese (goat's and sheep's milk), Scamorza Cheese (cow's milk)
- Texture: Batzos Cheese (Semihard), Scamorza Cheese (semi-soft)
- Rind: Batzos Cheese (none), Scamorza Cheese (natural)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Batzos Cheese | Scamorza Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Greece | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Western Macedonia, Northwest Greece | Apulia And Calabria, Southern Italy |
| Milk Type | Goat's and sheep's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw or pasteurized | — |
| Texture | Semihard | Semi-soft |
| Rind | None | Natural |
| Aging | At least 3 months | — |
| Taste | Sourish and slightly piquant | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Batzos Cheese Taste Like Scamorza Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Batzos Cheese for Scamorza Cheese?
Batzos Cheese can stand in for Scamorza Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semihard bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft.
Which Is Better, Batzos Cheese or Scamorza Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semihard cheese, go with Batzos Cheese. For a semi-soft profile, Scamorza Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Batzos Cheese the same as Scamorza Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Batzos Cheese originates in Greece, while Scamorza Cheese comes from Italy. Batzos Cheese is made from goat and sheep milk; Scamorza Cheese uses cow.
Is Batzos Cheese similar to Scamorza Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Batzos Cheese for Scamorza Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Batzos Cheese taste like Scamorza Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Batzos Cheese made of?
Batzos Cheese is made from goat and sheep milk (raw or pasteurized). It's typically aged at least 3 months. It originates in Greece.
What is Scamorza Cheese made of?
Scamorza Cheese is made from cow milk. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Batzos Cheese or Scamorza Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Batzos Cheese is semihard, while Scamorza Cheese is semi-soft.