Chimay Cheese vs Tulum Cheese
Chimay Cheese is a soft to hard depending on variety, creamy cheese from Belgium, while Tulum Cheese is a goat-milk cheese, originating in Turkey.
What Is Chimay Cheese?
Chimay is a Belgian Trappist cheese made at Baileux, near the Abbey of Notre-Dame de Scourmont in Hainaut. It comes in several styles, including soft versions washed with Chimay Rouge or Bleue beer and a hard Vieux Chimay aged at least six months.
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 Chimay Cheese and Tulum Cheese?
- Origin: Chimay Cheese (Belgium), Tulum Cheese (Turkey)
- Milk treatment: Chimay Cheese (pasteurized), Tulum Cheese (raw)
- Aging: Chimay Cheese (2 weeks to 6 months), Tulum Cheese (about 6 months)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Chimay Cheese | Tulum Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Belgium | Turkey |
| Specific Origin | Baileux, Hainaut, Belgium | Turkey |
| Milk Type | — | Goat |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Soft to hard depending on variety, creamy | — |
| Rind | Washed, some varieties covered with a fine white bloom | — |
| Aging | 2 weeks to 6 months | About 6 months |
| Taste | Slightly bitter from the beer hops, nutty in aged versions | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Chimay Cheese Taste Like Tulum Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Chimay Cheese at 2 weeks to 6 months develops a different profile than Tulum Cheese at about 6 months.
Can You Substitute Chimay Cheese for Tulum Cheese?
Chimay Cheese can stand in for Tulum Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Chimay 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 Chimay Cheese the same as Tulum Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Chimay Cheese originates in Belgium, while Tulum Cheese comes from Turkey. Aging also differs: Chimay Cheese is typically aged 2 weeks to 6 months, Tulum Cheese about 6 months.
Is Chimay Cheese similar to Tulum Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Chimay Cheese for Tulum Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in flavor and finish.
Does Chimay Cheese taste like Tulum Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Chimay Cheese made of?
Chimay Cheese is made from milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 2 weeks to 6 months. It originates in Belgium.
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, Chimay Cheese or Tulum Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.