Bitto Cheese vs Naboulsi 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 Naboulsi Cheese is semi-hard, brined and made from goat or sheep milk, originating in Middle East and Palestine.
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 Naboulsi Cheese?
Nabulsi is a Palestinian white brined cheese named for Nablus, made mostly from sheep's milk and flavored with mahleb and mastic in the brine. It comes in white rectangular blocks that turn soft and stretchy when heated, which is why it fills knafeh.
What's the Difference Between Bitto Cheese and Naboulsi Cheese?
- Origin: Bitto Cheese (Italy), Naboulsi Cheese (Middle East and Palestine)
- Milk type: Bitto Cheese (Cow's milk primarily, with non-mandatory addition of raw goat’s milk up to 10%), Naboulsi Cheese (goat's or sheep's milk)
- Milk treatment: Bitto Cheese (Raw), Naboulsi Cheese (pasteurized)
- Texture: Bitto Cheese (fine-grained, sometimes with very few small holes; hard cheese from one year), Naboulsi Cheese (semi-hard, brined)
- Rind: Bitto Cheese (smooth, 2 to 4 mm thick, straw-yellow turning brownish yellow with age), Naboulsi Cheese (natural)
- Taste: Bitto Cheese (mild and sweet when young, stronger and spicier with age), Naboulsi Cheese (salty)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Bitto Cheese | Naboulsi Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Middle East And Palestine |
| Specific Origin | Province Of Sondrio, Lombardy, Including Neighboring Upland Pastures Of Lecco And Bergamo | Nablus, Palestine |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk primarily, with non-mandatory addition of raw goat’s milk up to 10% | Goat's or sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Fine-grained, sometimes with very few small holes; hard cheese from one year | Semi-hard, brined |
| Rind | Smooth, 2 to 4 mm thick, straw-yellow turning brownish yellow with age | Natural |
| Aging | Minimum of 70 days | — |
| Taste | Mild and sweet when young, stronger and spicier with age | Salty |
Taste Comparison: Does Bitto Cheese Taste Like Naboulsi Cheese?
Bitto Cheese reads as mild and sweet when young, stronger and spicier with age, while Naboulsi Cheese brings salty character.
Can You Substitute Bitto Cheese for Naboulsi Cheese?
Bitto Cheese can stand in for Naboulsi 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 semi-hard, brined. Flavor-wise, Bitto Cheese reads as mild and sweet when young, stronger and spicier with age while Naboulsi Cheese brings salty notes.
Which Is Better, Bitto Cheese or Naboulsi 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 semi-hard, brined profile, Naboulsi 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 Naboulsi Cheese fits dishes calling for salty.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bitto Cheese the same as Naboulsi Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Bitto Cheese originates in Italy, while Naboulsi Cheese comes from Middle East and Palestine. Bitto Cheese is made from cow and goat milk; Naboulsi Cheese uses goat or sheep.
Is Bitto Cheese similar to Naboulsi Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Bitto Cheese for Naboulsi Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Bitto Cheese taste like Naboulsi Cheese?
Bitto Cheese reads as mild and sweet when young, stronger and spicier with age, while Naboulsi Cheese is salty.
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 Naboulsi Cheese made of?
Naboulsi Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk (pasteurized). It originates in Middle East and Palestine.
Which should I choose, Bitto Cheese or Naboulsi 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 Naboulsi Cheese is semi-hard, brined.