Brin d'Amour Cheese vs Kanafeh Cheese
Brin d'Amour Cheese is a soft to firm sheep-milk cheese from France, while Kanafeh Cheese is soft, originating in Azerbaijan, Egypt, Greece, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Turkey.
What Is Brin d'Amour Cheese?
Brin d'amour is a Corsican raw sheep's milk cheese created in the 1950s. It is known for a natural rind dusted with herbs of the maquis, which pass their flavor into the soft ivory paste as the cheese ages.
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 Brin d'Amour Cheese and Kanafeh Cheese?
- Origin: Brin d'Amour Cheese (France), Kanafeh Cheese (Azerbaijan, Egypt, Greece, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Turkey)
- Texture: Brin d'Amour Cheese (Soft to firm), Kanafeh Cheese (soft)
- Taste: Brin d'Amour Cheese (Earthy), Kanafeh Cheese (sweet)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Brin d'Amour Cheese | Kanafeh Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Azerbaijan, Egypt, Greece, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria And Turkey |
| Specific Origin | Corsica, France | Levant |
| Milk Type | Sheep's milk | — |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | — |
| Texture | Soft to firm | Soft |
| Rind | Natural | — |
| Aging | 1 to 3 months | — |
| Taste | Earthy | Sweet |
Taste Comparison: Does Brin d'Amour Cheese Taste Like Kanafeh Cheese?
Brin d'Amour Cheese reads as earthy, while Kanafeh Cheese brings sweet character. More specifically, Brin d'Amour Cheese shows pronounced milk flavor, intensifies with age; herb influence grows, while Kanafeh Cheese leans toward sugar syrup with rose water or orange blossom water, salty cheese, crushed pistachio.
Can You Substitute Brin d'Amour Cheese for Kanafeh Cheese?
Brin d'Amour Cheese can stand in for Kanafeh Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft to firm bite and body where the recipe calls for soft. Flavor-wise, Brin d'Amour Cheese reads as earthy while Kanafeh Cheese brings sweet notes.
Which Is Better, Brin d'Amour Cheese or Kanafeh Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft to firm cheese, go with Brin d'Amour Cheese. For a soft profile, Kanafeh Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brin d'Amour Cheese suits recipes that want earthy notes, while Kanafeh Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brin d'Amour Cheese the same as Kanafeh Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Brin d'Amour Cheese originates in France, while Kanafeh Cheese comes from Azerbaijan, Egypt, Greece, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Turkey.
Is Brin d'Amour Cheese similar to Kanafeh Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Brin d'Amour Cheese for Kanafeh Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Brin d'Amour Cheese taste like Kanafeh Cheese?
Brin d'Amour Cheese reads as earthy, while Kanafeh Cheese is sweet.
What is Brin d'Amour Cheese made of?
Brin d'Amour Cheese is made from sheep milk (raw). It's typically aged 1 to 3 months. It originates in France.
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, Brin d'Amour Cheese or Kanafeh Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brin d'Amour Cheese is soft to firm, while Kanafeh Cheese is soft.