Brunost Cheese vs Domiati Cheese

Brunost Cheese is a semi-soft cow and goat-milk cheese from Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, while Domiati Cheese is soft and made from cow, goat, or buffalo milk, originating in Egypt.

What Is Brunost Cheese?

Brunost is a Norwegian whey product made by boiling whey with milk and cream until the milk sugars caramelize. It is brown, sweet and firm enough to slice, and it is eaten like cheese on sandwiches, crispbread and waffles.

What Is Domiati Cheese?

Domiati is the most common cheese in Egypt, a soft white salty cheese usually made from buffalo or cow milk. Salt goes into the milk before the rennet, which sets it apart from feta and gives the cheese its sharp, pickled character.

What's the Difference Between Brunost Cheese and Domiati Cheese?

• Origin: Brunost Cheese (Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway and Sweden), Domiati Cheese (Egypt)
• Milk type: Brunost Cheese (Cow's and goat's milk), Domiati Cheese (Water buffalo's milk, sometimes with cow's or goat's milk)
• Milk treatment: Brunost Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized), Domiati Cheese (Pasteurized)
• Texture: Brunost Cheese (Semi-soft), Domiati Cheese (Soft)
• Rind: Brunost Cheese (natural), Domiati Cheese (None)
• Aging: Brunost Cheese (unaged, ready once packed and refrigerated), Domiati Cheese (Fresh or 3-4 months pickled)
• Taste: Brunost Cheese (caramel, sweet), Domiati Cheese (Salty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brunost Cheese Taste Like Domiati Cheese?

Brunost Cheese reads as caramel, sweet, while Domiati Cheese brings salty character. More specifically, Brunost Cheese shows sweet, caramel-like, with a tang that is stronger in goat's milk versions, while Domiati Cheese leans toward salty, chewy, similar to feta but with salting occurring before renneting. Aging plays into this as well. Brunost Cheese at unaged, ready once packed and refrigerated develops a different profile than Domiati Cheese at fresh or 3-4 months pickled.

Can You Substitute Brunost Cheese for Domiati Cheese?

Brunost Cheese can stand in for Domiati Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semi-soft bite and body where the recipe calls for soft. Flavor-wise, Brunost Cheese reads as caramel, sweet while Domiati Cheese brings salty notes.

Which Is Better, Brunost Cheese or Domiati Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-soft cheese, go with Brunost Cheese. For a soft profile, Domiati Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brunost Cheese suits recipes that want caramel, sweet notes, while Domiati Cheese fits dishes calling for salty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brunost Cheese the same as Domiati Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brunost Cheese originates in Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, while Domiati Cheese comes from Egypt. Brunost Cheese is made from cow and goat milk; Domiati Cheese uses cow, goat, or buffalo. Aging also differs: Brunost Cheese is typically aged unaged, ready once packed and refrigerated, Domiati Cheese fresh or 3-4 months pickled.

Is Brunost Cheese similar to Domiati Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brunost Cheese for Domiati Cheese?

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

Does Brunost Cheese taste like Domiati Cheese?

Brunost Cheese reads as caramel, sweet, while Domiati Cheese is salty.

What is Brunost Cheese made of?

Brunost Cheese is made from cow and goat milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized). It's typically aged unaged, ready once packed and refrigerated. It originates in Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

What is Domiati Cheese made of?

Domiati Cheese is made from cow, goat, or buffalo milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged fresh or 3-4 months pickled. It originates in Egypt.

Which should I choose, Brunost Cheese or Domiati Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brunost Cheese is semi-soft, while Domiati Cheese is soft.