Farmer's Cheese vs Livno Cheese
Farmer's Cheese is a soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese, while Livno Cheese is solid and made from cow and sheep milk, originating in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
What Is Farmer's Cheese?
Farmer's cheese is pressed curds, an unripened cheese made by adding rennet and a bacterial starter to milk. It comes from cow, sheep or goat milk, and the style ranges from pressed cottage cheese to a firm wheel close to Monterey Jack.
What Is Livno Cheese?
Livno is a cheese from the Livno area of Bosnia and Herzegovina, first made in the 19th century using the French method for Gruyère. It is made mostly from a mix of sheep's and cow's milk, with a robust flavor that turns tangy with longer aging.
What's the Difference Between Farmer's Cheese and Livno Cheese?
- Milk type: Farmer's Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk), Livno Cheese (Sheep’s and cow’s milk)
- Texture: Farmer's Cheese (soft), Livno Cheese (Solid)
- Aging: Farmer's Cheese (unripened), Livno Cheese (6 to 12 weeks (54–59°F [12–15°C] and humidity of 70–85%))
- Taste: Farmer's Cheese (creamy), Livno Cheese (Mildly milky sour, moderately salty and piquant)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Farmer's Cheese | Livno Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | Bosnia And Herzegovina |
| Specific Origin | — | Livno Area |
| Milk Type | Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk | Sheep’s and cow’s milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Heated |
| Texture | Soft | Solid |
| Rind | Natural | — |
| Aging | Unripened | 6 to 12 weeks (54–59°F [12–15°C] and humidity of 70–85%) |
| Taste | Creamy | Mildly milky sour, moderately salty and piquant |
Taste Comparison: Does Farmer's Cheese Taste Like Livno Cheese?
Farmer's Cheese reads as creamy, while Livno Cheese brings mildly milky sour, moderately salty and piquant character. Aging plays into this as well. Farmer's Cheese at unripened develops a different profile than Livno Cheese at 6 to 12 weeks (54–59°f [12–15°c] and humidity of 70–85%).
Can You Substitute Farmer's Cheese for Livno Cheese?
Farmer's Cheese can stand in for Livno Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft bite and body where the recipe calls for solid. Flavor-wise, Farmer's Cheese reads as creamy while Livno Cheese brings mildly milky sour, moderately salty and piquant notes.
Which Is Better, Farmer's Cheese or Livno Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft cheese, go with Farmer's Cheese. For a solid profile, Livno Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Farmer's Cheese suits recipes that want creamy notes, while Livno Cheese fits dishes calling for mildly milky sour, moderately salty and piquant.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Farmer's Cheese the same as Livno Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Farmer's Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Livno Cheese uses cow and sheep. Aging also differs: Farmer's Cheese is typically aged unripened, Livno Cheese 6 to 12 weeks (54–59°f [12–15°c] and humidity of 70–85%).
Is Farmer's Cheese similar to Livno Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Farmer's Cheese for Livno Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Farmer's Cheese taste like Livno Cheese?
Farmer's Cheese reads as creamy, while Livno Cheese is mildly milky sour, moderately salty and piquant.
What is Farmer's Cheese made of?
Farmer's Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk, using animal rennet. It's typically aged unripened.
What is Livno Cheese made of?
Livno Cheese is made from cow and sheep milk (heated), using natural calf rennet powd rennet. It's typically aged 6 to 12 weeks (54–59°f [12–15°c] and humidity of 70–85%). It originates in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Which should I choose, Farmer's Cheese or Livno Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Farmer's Cheese is soft, while Livno Cheese is solid.