Beaufort Cheese vs Roumy Cheese
Beaufort Cheese is a hard cow-milk cheese from France, while Roumy Cheese is hard and made from cow and buffalo milk, originating in Egypt.
What Is Beaufort Cheese?
Beaufort is a firm raw cow's milk cheese from the Savoie region of the French Alps, part of the gruyère family. Its wheels take a concave shape from the beechwood hoop, and the cheese melts easily enough to be a standard choice for fondue.
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 Beaufort Cheese and Roumy Cheese?
- Origin: Beaufort Cheese (France), Roumy Cheese (Egypt)
- Milk type: Beaufort Cheese (cow's milk), Roumy Cheese (cow's and water buffalo's milk)
- Texture: Beaufort Cheese (Hard), Roumy Cheese (hard)
- Rind: Beaufort Cheese (Even yellow color), Roumy Cheese (natural)
- Aging: Beaufort Cheese (5 to 12+ months), Roumy Cheese (3 to 4 months)
- Taste: Beaufort Cheese (strong), Roumy Cheese (salty, sharp, strong)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Beaufort Cheese | Roumy Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Egypt |
| Specific Origin | Beaufortin Valley, Savoie Region | Egypt |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's and water buffalo's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | — |
| Texture | Hard | Hard |
| Rind | Even yellow color | Natural |
| Aging | 5 to 12+ months | 3 to 4 months |
| Taste | Strong | Salty, sharp, strong |
Taste Comparison: Does Beaufort Cheese Taste Like Roumy Cheese?
Beaufort Cheese reads as strong, while Roumy Cheese brings salty, sharp, strong character. On the nose, Beaufort Cheese offers fruity, nutty, contrasted with Roumy Cheese's pungent. Aging plays into this as well. Beaufort Cheese at 5 to 12+ months develops a different profile than Roumy Cheese at 3 to 4 months.
Can You Substitute Beaufort Cheese for Roumy Cheese?
Beaufort Cheese can stand in for Roumy Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect hard bite and body where the recipe calls for hard. Flavor-wise, Beaufort Cheese reads as strong while Roumy Cheese brings salty, sharp, strong notes.
Which Is Better, Beaufort Cheese or Roumy Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard cheese, go with Beaufort Cheese. For a hard profile, Roumy Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Beaufort Cheese suits recipes that want strong notes, while Roumy Cheese fits dishes calling for salty, sharp, strong.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beaufort Cheese the same as Roumy Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Beaufort Cheese originates in France, while Roumy Cheese comes from Egypt. Beaufort Cheese is made from cow milk; Roumy Cheese uses cow and buffalo. Aging also differs: Beaufort Cheese is typically aged 5 to 12+ months, Roumy Cheese 3 to 4 months.
Is Beaufort Cheese similar to Roumy Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Beaufort Cheese for Roumy Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Beaufort Cheese taste like Roumy Cheese?
Beaufort Cheese reads as strong, while Roumy Cheese is salty, sharp, strong. Aromas also diverge. Beaufort Cheese leans fruity, nutty, and Roumy Cheese is closer to pungent.
What is Beaufort Cheese made of?
Beaufort Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using dried calves’ abomasum in recuite rennet. It's typically aged 5 to 12+ months. It originates in France.
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, Beaufort Cheese or Roumy Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Beaufort Cheese is hard, while Roumy Cheese is hard.