Crème Fraîche Cheese vs Feta Cheese
Crème Fraîche Cheese
Feta Cheese
Crème Fraîche Cheese is a thick, highly viscous cheese from France, while Feta Cheese is soft, white, aged in brine and made from goat and sheep milk, originating in Greece.
What Is Crème Fraîche Cheese?
Crème fraîche is a French soured cream made from cream and a bacterial culture, with 10 to 45% butterfat and a pH near 4.5. It is less sour than sour cream, and its fat content keeps it from curdling in hot sauces.
What Is Feta Cheese?
Feta is a Greek brined white cheese made from sheep's milk or a mix of sheep and goat's milk. It is crumbly and slightly grainy, tangy and salty, and it anchors dishes like Greek salad and spanakopita.
What's the Difference Between Crème Fraîche Cheese and Feta Cheese?
- Origin: Crème Fraîche Cheese (France), Feta Cheese (Greece)
- Texture: Crème Fraîche Cheese (thick, highly viscous), Feta Cheese (Soft, white, aged in brine)
- Taste: Crème Fraîche Cheese (mildly sour), Feta Cheese (Sharp to mild)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Crème Fraîche Cheese | Feta Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Greece |
| Specific Origin | Normandy, France | Mainland Greece And Lesbos Prefecture |
| Milk Type | — | Goat's and sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Pasteurized, sometimes raw |
| Texture | Thick, highly viscous | Soft, white, aged in brine |
| Rind | — | None |
| Aging | — | 2 months to longer |
| Taste | Mildly sour | Sharp to mild |
Taste Comparison: Does Crème Fraîche Cheese Taste Like Feta Cheese?
Crème Fraîche Cheese reads as mildly sour, while Feta Cheese brings sharp to mild character. More specifically, Crème Fraîche Cheese shows cultured taste from lactococcus bacteria, less sour than sour cream, while Feta Cheese leans toward sharp, dry, hard to mild, rich, creamy depending on production methods, breed of animals, season, and diet. can be tangy or creamy. flavors of sheep’s milk, grass, and clover. variety ranges from region to region, and producer to producer..
Can You Substitute Crème Fraîche Cheese for Feta Cheese?
Crème Fraîche Cheese can stand in for Feta Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect thick, highly viscous bite and body where the recipe calls for soft, white, aged in brine. Flavor-wise, Crème Fraîche Cheese reads as mildly sour while Feta Cheese brings sharp to mild notes.
Which Is Better, Crème Fraîche Cheese or Feta Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a thick, highly viscous cheese, go with Crème Fraîche Cheese. For a soft, white, aged in brine profile, Feta Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Crème Fraîche Cheese suits recipes that want mildly sour notes, while Feta Cheese fits dishes calling for sharp to mild.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Crème Fraîche Cheese the same as Feta Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Crème Fraîche Cheese originates in France, while Feta Cheese comes from Greece.
Is Crème Fraîche Cheese similar to Feta Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Crème Fraîche Cheese for Feta Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Crème Fraîche Cheese taste like Feta Cheese?
Crème Fraîche Cheese reads as mildly sour, while Feta Cheese is sharp to mild.
What is Crème Fraîche Cheese made of?
Crème Fraîche Cheese is made from milk. It originates in France.
What is Feta Cheese made of?
Feta Cheese is made from goat and sheep milk (pasteurized, sometimes raw), using rennet. It's typically aged 2 months to longer. It originates in Greece.
Which should I choose, Crème Fraîche Cheese or Feta Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Crème Fraîche Cheese is thick, highly viscous, while Feta Cheese is soft, white, aged in brine.