Bra Cheese vs Tulum Cheese
Bra Cheese is a hard or semi-hard depending on aging cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Tulum Cheese is a goat-milk cheese, originating in Turkey.
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 Tulum Cheese?
Tulum is a Turkish goat's milk cheese ripened inside a goatskin casing, which is what the word tulum means in Turkish. It is made in several regions, and versions from Erzincan, İzmir, Divle, Çimi and Kargı each taste different.
What's the Difference Between Bra Cheese and Tulum Cheese?
- Origin: Bra Cheese (Italy), Tulum Cheese (Turkey)
- Milk type: Bra Cheese (Cow's milk; optionally mixed with small quantities of sheep or goat milk), Tulum Cheese (goat)
- Milk treatment: Bra Cheese (Raw or Pasteurized), Tulum Cheese (raw)
- Aging: Bra Cheese (45 days for Bra Tenero (soft) and at least 6 months for Bra Duro (hard)), Tulum Cheese (about 6 months)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Bra Cheese | Tulum Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Turkey |
| Specific Origin | Province Of Cuneo, Piedmont | Turkey |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk; optionally mixed with small quantities of sheep or goat milk | Goat |
| Milk Treatment | Raw or Pasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Hard or semi-hard depending on aging | — |
| Rind | Natural | — |
| Aging | 45 days for Bra Tenero (soft) and at least 6 months for Bra Duro (hard) | About 6 months |
| Taste | Range from mild to piquant | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Bra Cheese Taste Like Tulum Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. 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 Tulum Cheese at about 6 months.
Can You Substitute Bra Cheese for Tulum Cheese?
Bra Cheese can stand in for Tulum Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Bra Cheese or Tulum Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bra Cheese the same as Tulum Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Bra Cheese originates in Italy, while Tulum Cheese comes from Turkey. Bra Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Tulum Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Bra Cheese is typically aged 45 days for bra tenero (soft) and at least 6 months for bra duro (hard), Tulum Cheese about 6 months.
Is Bra Cheese similar to Tulum Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Bra Cheese for Tulum Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Bra Cheese taste like Tulum Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
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 Tulum Cheese made of?
Tulum Cheese is made from goat milk (raw). It's typically aged about 6 months. It originates in Turkey.
Which should I choose, Bra Cheese or Tulum Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.