Époisses Cheese vs Feta Cheese

Époisses Cheese is a soft and creamy cow-milk cheese from France, while Feta Cheese is soft, white, aged in brine and made from goat and sheep milk, originating in Greece.

What Is Époisses Cheese?

Époisses is a pungent soft-paste cow's milk cheese from the village of Époisses in Burgundy, France. Washed in brine and Marc de Bourgogne as it ripens, it has a soft red-orange rind that is edible and a strong smell.

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 Époisses Cheese and Feta Cheese?

• Origin: Époisses Cheese (France), Feta Cheese (Greece)
• Milk type: Époisses Cheese (Cow's Milk), Feta Cheese (goat's and sheep's milk)
• Texture: Époisses Cheese (Soft and creamy), Feta Cheese (Soft, white, aged in brine)
• Rind: Époisses Cheese (Washed-rind), Feta Cheese (None)
• Aging: Époisses Cheese (Minimum of 28 days), Feta Cheese (2 months to longer)
• Taste: Époisses Cheese (Subtle, fruity, distinctive, balanced), Feta Cheese (Sharp to mild)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Époisses Cheese Taste Like Feta Cheese?

Époisses Cheese reads as subtle, fruity, distinctive, balanced, while Feta Cheese brings sharp to mild character. On the nose, Époisses Cheese offers undergrowth, contrasted with Feta Cheese's ewe's milk, butter, yoghurt. More specifically, Époisses Cheese shows penetrating odor, undergrowth aromas, soft and melting, slightly crumbly center if not long matured, creamy sensation on the palette, 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.. Aging plays into this as well. Époisses Cheese at minimum of 28 days develops a different profile than Feta Cheese at 2 months to longer.

Can You Substitute Époisses Cheese for Feta Cheese?

Époisses Cheese can stand in for Feta Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft and creamy bite and body where the recipe calls for soft, white, aged in brine. Flavor-wise, Époisses Cheese reads as subtle, fruity, distinctive, balanced while Feta Cheese brings sharp to mild notes.

Which Is Better, Époisses Cheese or Feta Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft and creamy cheese, go with Époisses Cheese. For a soft, white, aged in brine profile, Feta Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Époisses Cheese suits recipes that want subtle, fruity, distinctive, balanced notes, while Feta Cheese fits dishes calling for sharp to mild.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Époisses Cheese the same as Feta Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Époisses Cheese originates in France, while Feta Cheese comes from Greece. Époisses Cheese is made from cow milk; Feta Cheese uses goat and sheep. Aging also differs: Époisses Cheese is typically aged minimum of 28 days, Feta Cheese 2 months to longer.

Is Époisses Cheese similar to Feta Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Époisses Cheese for Feta Cheese?

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

Does Époisses Cheese taste like Feta Cheese?

Époisses Cheese reads as subtle, fruity, distinctive, balanced, while Feta Cheese is sharp to mild. Aromas also diverge. Époisses Cheese leans undergrowth, and Feta Cheese is closer to ewe's milk, butter, yoghurt.

What is Époisses Cheese made of?

Époisses Cheese is made from cow milk (raw or pasteurized). It's typically aged minimum of 28 days. 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, Époisses Cheese or Feta Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Époisses Cheese is soft and creamy, while Feta Cheese is soft, white, aged in brine.