Cebreiro Cheese vs Tulum Cheese
Cebreiro Cheese is a soft, spreadable cow-milk cheese from Spain, while Tulum Cheese is a goat-milk cheese, originating in Turkey.
What Is Cebreiro Cheese?
Cebreiro is a Galician cow's milk cheese shaped like a mushroom or a chef's hat. Sold fresh, it has a white, spreadable paste and a milky, slightly acidic taste; cured, it turns firm and yellow with a sharper, metallic edge.
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 Cebreiro Cheese and Tulum Cheese?
- Origin: Cebreiro Cheese (Spain), Tulum Cheese (Turkey)
- Milk type: Cebreiro Cheese (Pasteurized Cow's), Tulum Cheese (goat)
- Milk treatment: Cebreiro Cheese (Pasteurized), Tulum Cheese (raw)
- Aging: Cebreiro Cheese (At least 45 days (not industrially manufactured for mature type)), Tulum Cheese (about 6 months)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cebreiro Cheese | Tulum Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Spain | Turkey |
| Specific Origin | Eastern Part Of Lugo, Galicia | Turkey |
| Milk Type | Pasteurized Cow's | Goat |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Soft, spreadable | — |
| Rind | None | — |
| Aging | At least 45 days (not industrially manufactured for mature type) | About 6 months |
| Taste | Milky, slightly acidic | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Cebreiro Cheese Taste Like Tulum Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Cebreiro Cheese at at least 45 days (not industrially manufactured for mature type) develops a different profile than Tulum Cheese at about 6 months.
Can You Substitute Cebreiro Cheese for Tulum Cheese?
Cebreiro Cheese can stand in for Tulum Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Cebreiro 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 Cebreiro Cheese the same as Tulum Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Cebreiro Cheese originates in Spain, while Tulum Cheese comes from Turkey. Cebreiro Cheese is made from cow milk; Tulum Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Cebreiro Cheese is typically aged at least 45 days (not industrially manufactured for mature type), Tulum Cheese about 6 months.
Is Cebreiro Cheese similar to Tulum Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Cebreiro Cheese for Tulum Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Cebreiro Cheese taste like Tulum Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Cebreiro Cheese made of?
Cebreiro Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using mesophilic dl-starters and small quantities of calf rennet. It's typically aged at least 45 days (not industrially manufactured for mature type). It originates in Spain.
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, Cebreiro Cheese or Tulum Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.