Search
Cheeses
Cheesemakers
Types
Pairings
Cheese Map
Colby Cheese vs Halloumi Cheese
Colby Cheese
Halloumi Cheese
In this article, we’ll explore the answers to the most common questions about Colby Cheese and Halloumi Cheese, including:
- "What is the difference between Colby Cheese and Halloumi Cheese?"
- "Is Colby Cheese and Halloumi Cheese the same?"
- "How does Colby Cheese compare to Halloumi Cheese cheese?"
- "How does the taste of Colby Cheese compare to Halloumi Cheese?"
- "Is Colby Cheese or Halloumi Cheese better?"
Colby Cheese Overview
Colby is an American cheese that originated in Colby, Wisconsin. It is similar to cheddar but is softer, moister, and milder in flavor. Colby is made from cow's milk and has a slightly elastic texture with a creamy, mild flavor that makes it popular in cheeseburgers and sandwiches.
Halloumi Cheese Overview
Halloumi is a semi-hard, unripened brined cheese from Cyprus, made from a mixture of goat’s and sheep’s milk, and sometimes also cow’s milk. Renowned for its high melting point, Halloumi can be grilled or fried to a crispy exterior with a soft, chewy interior. It has a salty flavor and is often enjoyed with a squeeze of lemon.
Comparing the Two Cheeses
Ranking
Colby is ranked #29 out of 377 types.
Halloumi is ranked #130 out of 377 types.
Country of Origin
Colby Cheese comes from United States. Halloumi Cheese originated from Cyprus.
Certification
Many cheeses have some kind of protected status that makes it so they can only be produced in a certain manner and location. Colby is not a protected cheese. Halloumi Cheese has a PDO (2014).
Milk Type and Treatment
Colby Cheese is made with unknown milk that is typically pasteurized. Halloumi Cheese is made with cow, goat, or sheep milk.
Composition and Texture
Colby Cheese has a fat content of ~31–32% (total weight basis) and a moisture content of 40%. Colby's texture can be described as "slightly curdy, softer". Halloumi's texture can be described as "semihard".
Flavor and Aroma
Colby Cheese has a mild, milky flavor. Halloumi Cheese has a mild, salty flavor.
Appearance and Aging
Colby Cheese's appearance is colored orange , is available in longhorn, minihorn, blocks, shreds, colby jack and is aged < 3 months . Halloumi Cheese has a color of white to light yellow and has an aging period of 40 days .
Rind and Rennet Type
Colby Cheese's rind is described as none . Halloumi Cheese's rind is described as no rind , with animal rennet.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Colby Cheese | Halloumi Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | United States | Cyprus |
| Specific Origin | Colby, Wisconsin | Cyprus |
| Certification | None | PDO (2014) |
| Milk Type | Whole Milk | Sheep’s milk, Goat’s milk, Cow’s milk (Cow’s milk not alone in Cyprus) |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | |
| Fat Content | ~31–32% (total weight basis) | |
| Moisture Content | 40% | |
| Rind | None | No rind |
| Texture | Slightly curdy, softer | Semihard |
| Flavor | Mild, milky | Mild, salty |
| Colors | Orange | White to light yellow |
| Forms | Longhorn, minihorn, blocks, shreds, Colby Jack | |
| Age | < 3 months | 40 days |
| Rennet Type | Animal |
