Brin d'Amour Cheese vs Naboulsi Cheese
Brin d'Amour Cheese is a soft to firm sheep-milk cheese from France, while Naboulsi Cheese is semi-hard, brined and made from goat or sheep milk, originating in Middle East and Palestine.
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 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 Brin d'Amour Cheese and Naboulsi Cheese?
- Origin: Brin d'Amour Cheese (France), Naboulsi Cheese (Middle East and Palestine)
- Milk type: Brin d'Amour Cheese (sheep's milk), Naboulsi Cheese (goat's or sheep's milk)
- Milk treatment: Brin d'Amour Cheese (raw), Naboulsi Cheese (pasteurized)
- Texture: Brin d'Amour Cheese (Soft to firm), Naboulsi Cheese (semi-hard, brined)
- Rind: Brin d'Amour Cheese (Natural), Naboulsi Cheese (natural)
- Taste: Brin d'Amour Cheese (Earthy), Naboulsi Cheese (salty)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Brin d'Amour Cheese | Naboulsi Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Middle East And Palestine |
| Specific Origin | Corsica, France | Nablus, Palestine |
| Milk Type | Sheep's milk | Goat's or sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Soft to firm | Semi-hard, brined |
| Rind | Natural | Natural |
| Aging | 1 to 3 months | — |
| Taste | Earthy | Salty |
Taste Comparison: Does Brin d'Amour Cheese Taste Like Naboulsi Cheese?
Brin d'Amour Cheese reads as earthy, while Naboulsi Cheese brings salty character. On the nose, Brin d'Amour Cheese offers herbaceous, contrasted with Naboulsi Cheese's fresh.
Can You Substitute Brin d'Amour Cheese for Naboulsi Cheese?
Brin d'Amour Cheese can stand in for Naboulsi 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 semi-hard, brined. Flavor-wise, Brin d'Amour Cheese reads as earthy while Naboulsi Cheese brings salty notes.
Which Is Better, Brin d'Amour Cheese or Naboulsi 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 semi-hard, brined profile, Naboulsi Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brin d'Amour Cheese suits recipes that want earthy notes, while Naboulsi Cheese fits dishes calling for salty.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brin d'Amour Cheese the same as Naboulsi Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Brin d'Amour Cheese originates in France, while Naboulsi Cheese comes from Middle East and Palestine. Brin d'Amour Cheese is made from sheep milk; Naboulsi Cheese uses goat or sheep.
Is Brin d'Amour Cheese similar to Naboulsi Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Brin d'Amour Cheese for Naboulsi Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Brin d'Amour Cheese taste like Naboulsi Cheese?
Brin d'Amour Cheese reads as earthy, while Naboulsi Cheese is salty. Aromas also diverge. Brin d'Amour Cheese leans herbaceous, and Naboulsi Cheese is closer to fresh.
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 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, Brin d'Amour Cheese or Naboulsi Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brin d'Amour Cheese is soft to firm, while Naboulsi Cheese is semi-hard, brined.