Bitto Cheese vs Divle Obruk Tulum Cheese
Bitto Cheese is a fine-grained, sometimes with very few small holes; hard cheese from one year cow and goat-milk cheese from Italy, while Divle Obruk Tulum Cheese is a goat and sheep-milk cheese.
What Is Bitto Cheese?
Bitto is a raw-milk PDO cheese from the alpine pastures of Sondrio in Lombardy, made only between 1 June and 30 September from cow's milk, sometimes with up to 10 percent goat's milk. Young wheels taste mild and sweet, and some are aged for years.
What Is Divle Obruk Tulum Cheese?
Divle Obruk Tulum is a rare and unique Turkish cheese aged in caves near Divle village. Made from goat's milk, this cheese is stored in natural limestone caves which enhance its flavor and texture, resulting in a creamy, rich taste with earthy undertones. The aging process in the specific microclimate of the caves imparts a distinctive aroma and a slightly tangy finish.
What's the Difference Between Bitto Cheese and Divle Obruk Tulum Cheese?
- Milk type: Bitto Cheese (Cow's milk primarily, with non-mandatory addition of raw goat’s milk up to 10%), Divle Obruk Tulum Cheese (Akkaraman and Morkaraman sheep’s milk and goat’s milk)
- Aging: Bitto Cheese (Minimum of 70 days), Divle Obruk Tulum Cheese (4 to 12 months)
- Taste: Bitto Cheese (mild and sweet when young, stronger and spicier with age), Divle Obruk Tulum Cheese (Sharp)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Bitto Cheese | Divle Obruk Tulum Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | — |
| Specific Origin | Province Of Sondrio, Lombardy, Including Neighboring Upland Pastures Of Lecco And Bergamo | Central Turkey |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk primarily, with non-mandatory addition of raw goat’s milk up to 10% | Akkaraman and Morkaraman sheep’s milk and goat’s milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Raw |
| Texture | Fine-grained, sometimes with very few small holes; hard cheese from one year | — |
| Rind | Smooth, 2 to 4 mm thick, straw-yellow turning brownish yellow with age | — |
| Aging | Minimum of 70 days | 4 to 12 months |
| Taste | Mild and sweet when young, stronger and spicier with age | Sharp |
Taste Comparison: Does Bitto Cheese Taste Like Divle Obruk Tulum Cheese?
Bitto Cheese reads as mild and sweet when young, stronger and spicier with age, while Divle Obruk Tulum Cheese brings sharp character. More specifically, Bitto Cheese shows cooked at 118–126°f, finely cut curd, matured for a minimum of 70 days, while Divle Obruk Tulum Cheese leans toward aged in a cave, covered with reddish molds, sharp flavor. Aging plays into this as well. Bitto Cheese at minimum of 70 days develops a different profile than Divle Obruk Tulum Cheese at 4 to 12 months.
Can You Substitute Bitto Cheese for Divle Obruk Tulum Cheese?
Bitto Cheese can stand in for Divle Obruk Tulum Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Flavor-wise, Bitto Cheese reads as mild and sweet when young, stronger and spicier with age while Divle Obruk Tulum Cheese brings sharp notes.
Which Is Better, Bitto Cheese or Divle Obruk Tulum Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. Flavor-wise, Bitto Cheese suits recipes that want mild and sweet when young, stronger and spicier with age notes, while Divle Obruk Tulum Cheese fits dishes calling for sharp.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bitto Cheese the same as Divle Obruk Tulum Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Bitto Cheese is made from cow and goat milk; Divle Obruk Tulum Cheese uses goat and sheep. Aging also differs: Bitto Cheese is typically aged minimum of 70 days, Divle Obruk Tulum Cheese 4 to 12 months.
Is Bitto Cheese similar to Divle Obruk Tulum Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Bitto Cheese for Divle Obruk Tulum Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Bitto Cheese taste like Divle Obruk Tulum Cheese?
Bitto Cheese reads as mild and sweet when young, stronger and spicier with age, while Divle Obruk Tulum Cheese is sharp.
What is Bitto Cheese made of?
Bitto Cheese is made from cow and goat milk (raw), using calf rennet. It's typically aged minimum of 70 days. It originates in Italy.
What is Divle Obruk Tulum Cheese made of?
Divle Obruk Tulum Cheese is made from goat and sheep milk (raw). It's typically aged 4 to 12 months.
Which should I choose, Bitto Cheese or Divle Obruk Tulum Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.