Cheddar Cheese vs Domiati Cheese

Q: Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Domiati Cheese?

No. Cheddar Cheese and Domiati Cheese are distinct cheeses from England and Egypt respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Domiati Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Cheddar Cheese for Domiati Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Which should I choose, Cheddar Cheese or Domiati Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Cheddar Cheese

Domiati Cheese

Cheddar Cheese is a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cow-milk cheese from England, while Domiati Cheese is soft and made from cow, goat, or buffalo milk, originating in Egypt.

What Is Cheddar Cheese?

Cheddar is a relatively hard, off-white to orange cow's milk cheese from the village of Cheddar in Somerset, South West England. The name is not protected, so it is made worldwide, and it is the UK's most popular cheese at 51% of the national cheese market.

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 Cheddar Cheese and Domiati Cheese?

Origin: Cheddar Cheese (England), Domiati Cheese (Egypt)
Milk type: Cheddar Cheese (cow's milk), Domiati Cheese (Primarily buffalo, but also cow's, goat's, etc.)
Milk treatment: Cheddar Cheese (Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized), Domiati Cheese (Pasteurized)
Texture: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)), Domiati Cheese (Soft)
Rind: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)), Domiati Cheese (None)
Aging: Cheddar Cheese (A few months to several years), Domiati Cheese (Fresh or 3-4 months pickled)
Taste: Cheddar Cheese (Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory), Domiati Cheese (Salty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Cheddar Cheese	Domiati Cheese
Country of Origin	England	Egypt
Specific Origin	Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester)	Damietta
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Primarily buffalo, but also cow's, goat's, etc.
Milk Treatment	Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized	Pasteurized
Texture	Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)	Soft
Rind	Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)	None
Aging	A few months to several years	Fresh or 3-4 months pickled
Taste	Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory	Salty

Taste Comparison: Does Cheddar Cheese Taste Like Domiati Cheese?

Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Domiati Cheese brings salty character. More specifically, Cheddar Cheese shows from mild and buttery to brothy and savory, with distinctive sharpness; variations in sweetness and flavor depending on the producer, while Domiati Cheese leans toward salty, chewy, similar to feta but with salting occurring before renneting. Aging plays into this as well. Cheddar Cheese at a few months to several years develops a different profile than Domiati Cheese at fresh or 3-4 months pickled.

Can You Substitute Cheddar Cheese for Domiati Cheese?

Cheddar Cheese can stand in for Domiati Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) bite and body where the recipe calls for soft. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory while Domiati Cheese brings salty notes.

Which Is Better, Cheddar Cheese or Domiati Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cheese, go with Cheddar Cheese. For a soft profile, Domiati Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese suits recipes that want mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory notes, while Domiati Cheese fits dishes calling for salty.

Which is your favorite?

One click, anonymous. See what others chose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Domiati Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Cheddar Cheese originates in England, while Domiati Cheese comes from Egypt. Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk; Domiati Cheese uses cow, goat, or buffalo. Aging also differs: Cheddar Cheese is typically aged a few months to several years, Domiati Cheese fresh or 3-4 months pickled.

Is Cheddar Cheese similar to Domiati Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Domiati Cheese?

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

Does Cheddar Cheese taste like Domiati Cheese?

Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Domiati Cheese is salty.

What is Cheddar Cheese made of?

Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk (raw, thermized, pasteurized), using animal; microbial chymosin in vegetarian and kosher versions rennet. It's typically aged a few months to several years. It originates in England.

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, Cheddar Cheese or Domiati Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cheddar Cheese is varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline), while Domiati Cheese is soft.