Bitto Cheese vs Kanafeh 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 Kanafeh Cheese is soft, originating in Azerbaijan, Egypt, Greece, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Turkey.
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 Kanafeh Cheese?
Knafeh is an Arab dessert of spun kadayif pastry layered with soft white cheese and soaked in sugar syrup. Nablus in Palestine is known for its version, made with the city's firm, salty Nabulsi cheese and served hot under crushed pistachios.
What's the Difference Between Bitto Cheese and Kanafeh Cheese?
- Origin: Bitto Cheese (Italy), Kanafeh Cheese (Azerbaijan, Egypt, Greece, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Turkey)
- Texture: Bitto Cheese (fine-grained, sometimes with very few small holes; hard cheese from one year), Kanafeh Cheese (soft)
- Taste: Bitto Cheese (mild and sweet when young, stronger and spicier with age), Kanafeh Cheese (sweet)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Bitto Cheese | Kanafeh Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Azerbaijan, Egypt, Greece, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria And Turkey |
| Specific Origin | Province Of Sondrio, Lombardy, Including Neighboring Upland Pastures Of Lecco And Bergamo | Levant |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk primarily, with non-mandatory addition of raw goat’s milk up to 10% | — |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | — |
| Texture | Fine-grained, sometimes with very few small holes; hard cheese from one year | Soft |
| Rind | Smooth, 2 to 4 mm thick, straw-yellow turning brownish yellow with age | — |
| Aging | Minimum of 70 days | — |
| Taste | Mild and sweet when young, stronger and spicier with age | Sweet |
Taste Comparison: Does Bitto Cheese Taste Like Kanafeh Cheese?
Bitto Cheese reads as mild and sweet when young, stronger and spicier with age, while Kanafeh Cheese brings sweet character. More specifically, Bitto Cheese shows cooked at 118–126°f, finely cut curd, matured for a minimum of 70 days, while Kanafeh Cheese leans toward sugar syrup with rose water or orange blossom water, salty cheese, crushed pistachio.
Can You Substitute Bitto Cheese for Kanafeh Cheese?
Bitto Cheese can stand in for Kanafeh Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect fine-grained, sometimes with very few small holes; hard cheese from one year bite and body where the recipe calls for soft. Flavor-wise, Bitto Cheese reads as mild and sweet when young, stronger and spicier with age while Kanafeh Cheese brings sweet notes.
Which Is Better, Bitto Cheese or Kanafeh Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a fine-grained, sometimes with very few small holes; hard cheese from one year cheese, go with Bitto Cheese. For a soft profile, Kanafeh Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Bitto Cheese suits recipes that want mild and sweet when young, stronger and spicier with age notes, while Kanafeh Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bitto Cheese the same as Kanafeh Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Bitto Cheese originates in Italy, while Kanafeh Cheese comes from Azerbaijan, Egypt, Greece, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Turkey.
Is Bitto Cheese similar to Kanafeh Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Bitto Cheese for Kanafeh Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Bitto Cheese taste like Kanafeh Cheese?
Bitto Cheese reads as mild and sweet when young, stronger and spicier with age, while Kanafeh Cheese is sweet.
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 Kanafeh Cheese made of?
Kanafeh Cheese is made from milk. It originates in Azerbaijan, Egypt, Greece, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Turkey.
Which should I choose, Bitto Cheese or Kanafeh Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Bitto Cheese is fine-grained, sometimes with very few small holes; hard cheese from one year, while Kanafeh Cheese is soft.