Caciocavallo Cheese vs Kanterkaas Cheese

Caciocavallo Cheese is a firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Kanterkaas Cheese is firm to hard and made from cow milk, originating in Netherlands.

What Is Caciocavallo Cheese?

Caciocavallo is a stretched-curd cheese from southern Italy, made with sheep's or cow's milk and shaped like a teardrop. It has a hard edible rind and tastes much like the aged provolone of the same region.

What Is Kanterkaas Cheese?

Kanterkaas is a Dutch cow's milk cheese from Friesland and the Westerkwartier, protected by a PDO since 2000. It comes plain, with cumin as Kanterkomijnekaas, or with cumin and cloves as Kanternagelkaas, and tastes sharp to strong.

What's the Difference Between Caciocavallo Cheese and Kanterkaas Cheese?

• Origin: Caciocavallo Cheese (Italy), Kanterkaas Cheese (Netherlands)
• Texture: Caciocavallo Cheese (Firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly), Kanterkaas Cheese (Firm to hard)
• Rind: Caciocavallo Cheese (Smooth, thickens with age), Kanterkaas Cheese (Natural or coated (colorless/yellow))
• Aging: Caciocavallo Cheese (2 to 12 months, up to 5 years), Kanterkaas Cheese (Minimum 4 weeks)
• Taste: Caciocavallo Cheese (Slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex), Kanterkaas Cheese (Pleasant, sharp to strong (varies with age))

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Caciocavallo Cheese Taste Like Kanterkaas Cheese?

Caciocavallo Cheese reads as slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex, while Kanterkaas Cheese brings pleasant, sharp to strong (varies with age) character. On the nose, Caciocavallo Cheese offers earthy, contrasted with Kanterkaas Cheese's aromatic, pleasant. More specifically, Caciocavallo Cheese shows sweet when young; intensifies and becomes piquant and complex with age, dotted with small crystals, while Kanterkaas Cheese leans toward plain sharp to strong; kanterkomijnekaas fragrant and mild to strong; kanternagelkaas fragrant and sharp to strong. Aging plays into this as well. Caciocavallo Cheese at 2 to 12 months, up to 5 years develops a different profile than Kanterkaas Cheese at minimum 4 weeks.

Can You Substitute Caciocavallo Cheese for Kanterkaas Cheese?

In most recipes, Caciocavallo Cheese and Kanterkaas Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly bite and body where the recipe calls for firm to hard. Flavor-wise, Caciocavallo Cheese reads as slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex while Kanterkaas Cheese brings pleasant, sharp to strong (varies with age) notes.

Which Is Better, Caciocavallo Cheese or Kanterkaas Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly cheese, go with Caciocavallo Cheese. For a firm to hard profile, Kanterkaas Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Caciocavallo Cheese suits recipes that want slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex notes, while Kanterkaas Cheese fits dishes calling for pleasant, sharp to strong (varies with age).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Caciocavallo Cheese the same as Kanterkaas Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Caciocavallo Cheese originates in Italy, while Kanterkaas Cheese comes from Netherlands. Aging also differs: Caciocavallo Cheese is typically aged 2 to 12 months, up to 5 years, Kanterkaas Cheese minimum 4 weeks.

Is Caciocavallo Cheese similar to Kanterkaas Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Caciocavallo Cheese for Kanterkaas Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Caciocavallo Cheese taste like Kanterkaas Cheese?

Caciocavallo Cheese reads as slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex, while Kanterkaas Cheese is pleasant, sharp to strong (varies with age). Aromas also diverge. Caciocavallo Cheese leans earthy, and Kanterkaas Cheese is closer to aromatic, pleasant.

What is Caciocavallo Cheese made of?

Caciocavallo Cheese is made from cow milk. It's typically aged 2 to 12 months, up to 5 years. It originates in Italy.

What is Kanterkaas Cheese made of?

Kanterkaas Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged minimum 4 weeks. It originates in Netherlands.

Which should I choose, Caciocavallo Cheese or Kanterkaas Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Caciocavallo Cheese is firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly, while Kanterkaas Cheese is firm to hard.