Bra Cheese vs Livno Cheese

Q: Is Bra Cheese the same as Livno Cheese?

No. Bra Cheese and Livno Cheese are distinct cheeses from Italy and Bosnia and Herzegovina respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Bra Cheese for Livno Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Bra Cheese for Livno Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Which should I choose, Bra Cheese or Livno Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Bra Cheese is a hard or semi-hard depending on aging cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Livno Cheese is solid and made from cow and sheep milk, originating in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

What Is Bra Cheese?

Bra is an Italian cheese from the town of Bra in the province of Cuneo, Piedmont. It is made mostly from cow's milk and sold either soft or hard, depending on how long it has aged, and it carries PDO status.

What Is Livno Cheese?

Livno is a cheese from the Livno area of Bosnia and Herzegovina, first made in the 19th century using the French method for Gruyère. It is made mostly from a mix of sheep's and cow's milk, with a robust flavor that turns tangy with longer aging.

What's the Difference Between Bra Cheese and Livno Cheese?

Origin: Bra Cheese (Italy), Livno Cheese (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Milk type: Bra Cheese (Cow's milk; optionally mixed with small quantities of sheep or goat milk), Livno Cheese (Sheep’s and cow’s milk)
Milk treatment: Bra Cheese (Raw or Pasteurized), Livno Cheese (Heated)
Texture: Bra Cheese (Hard or semi-hard depending on aging), Livno Cheese (Solid)
Aging: Bra Cheese (45 days for Bra Tenero (soft) and at least 6 months for Bra Duro (hard)), Livno Cheese (6 to 12 weeks (54–59°F [12–15°C] and humidity of 70–85%))
Taste: Bra Cheese (Range from mild to piquant), Livno Cheese (Mildly milky sour, moderately salty and piquant)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Bra Cheese	Livno Cheese
Country of Origin	Italy	Bosnia And Herzegovina
Specific Origin	Province Of Cuneo, Piedmont	Livno Area
Milk Type	Cow's milk; optionally mixed with small quantities of sheep or goat milk	Sheep’s and cow’s milk
Milk Treatment	Raw or Pasteurized	Heated
Texture	Hard or semi-hard depending on aging	Solid
Rind	Natural	—
Aging	45 days for Bra Tenero (soft) and at least 6 months for Bra Duro (hard)	6 to 12 weeks (54–59°F [12–15°C] and humidity of 70–85%)
Taste	Range from mild to piquant	Mildly milky sour, moderately salty and piquant

Taste Comparison: Does Bra Cheese Taste Like Livno Cheese?

Bra Cheese reads as range from mild to piquant, while Livno Cheese brings mildly milky sour, moderately salty and piquant character. Aging plays into this as well. Bra Cheese at 45 days for bra tenero (soft) and at least 6 months for bra duro (hard) develops a different profile than Livno Cheese at 6 to 12 weeks (54–59°f [12–15°c] and humidity of 70–85%).

Can You Substitute Bra Cheese for Livno Cheese?

Bra Cheese can stand in for Livno Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect hard or semi-hard depending on aging bite and body where the recipe calls for solid. Flavor-wise, Bra Cheese reads as range from mild to piquant while Livno Cheese brings mildly milky sour, moderately salty and piquant notes.

Which Is Better, Bra Cheese or Livno Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard or semi-hard depending on aging cheese, go with Bra Cheese. For a solid profile, Livno Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Bra Cheese suits recipes that want range from mild to piquant notes, while Livno Cheese fits dishes calling for mildly milky sour, moderately salty and piquant.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bra Cheese the same as Livno Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Bra Cheese originates in Italy, while Livno Cheese comes from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bra Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Livno Cheese uses cow and sheep. Aging also differs: Bra Cheese is typically aged 45 days for bra tenero (soft) and at least 6 months for bra duro (hard), Livno Cheese 6 to 12 weeks (54–59°f [12–15°c] and humidity of 70–85%).

Is Bra Cheese similar to Livno Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Bra Cheese for Livno Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Bra Cheese taste like Livno Cheese?

Bra Cheese reads as range from mild to piquant, while Livno Cheese is mildly milky sour, moderately salty and piquant.

What is Bra Cheese made of?

Bra Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (raw or pasteurized), using traditional calf rennet. It's typically aged 45 days for bra tenero (soft) and at least 6 months for bra duro (hard). It originates in Italy.

What is Livno Cheese made of?

Livno Cheese is made from cow and sheep milk (heated), using natural calf rennet powd rennet. It's typically aged 6 to 12 weeks (54–59°f [12–15°c] and humidity of 70–85%). It originates in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Which should I choose, Bra Cheese or Livno Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Bra Cheese is hard or semi-hard depending on aging, while Livno Cheese is solid.