Cheese Curds vs Tulum Cheese
Cheese Curds is a fresh firm cheese from Canada, India and United States, while Tulum Cheese is a goat-milk cheese, originating in Turkey.
What Is Cheese Curds?
Cheese curds are moist pieces of curdled milk, eaten alone as a snack or cooked into dishes such as poutine. Fresh ones squeak against the teeth, which is how they earned the name squeaky cheese.
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 Cheese Curds and Tulum Cheese?
- Origin: Cheese Curds (Canada, India and United States), Tulum Cheese (Turkey)
- Milk treatment: Cheese Curds (pasteurized), Tulum Cheese (raw)
- Aging: Cheese Curds (fresh, best within 12 hours), Tulum Cheese (about 6 months)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cheese Curds | Tulum Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Canada, India And United States | Turkey |
| Specific Origin | The U.S. And Canada | Turkey |
| Milk Type | — | Goat |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Fresh firm | — |
| Rind | Natural | — |
| Aging | Fresh, best within 12 hours | About 6 months |
| Taste | Mild, milky | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Cheese Curds Taste Like Tulum Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Cheese Curds at fresh, best within 12 hours develops a different profile than Tulum Cheese at about 6 months.
Can You Substitute Cheese Curds for Tulum Cheese?
Cheese Curds can stand in for Tulum Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Cheese Curds 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 Cheese Curds the same as Tulum Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Cheese Curds originates in Canada, India and United States, while Tulum Cheese comes from Turkey. Aging also differs: Cheese Curds is typically aged fresh, best within 12 hours, Tulum Cheese about 6 months.
Is Cheese Curds similar to Tulum Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Cheese Curds for Tulum Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in flavor and finish.
Does Cheese Curds taste like Tulum Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Cheese Curds made of?
Cheese Curds is made from milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged fresh, best within 12 hours. It originates in Canada, India and United States.
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, Cheese Curds or Tulum Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.