Farmstead Cheese vs Feta Cheese
Farmstead Cheese is a cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo-milk cheese, while Feta Cheese is soft, white, aged in brine and made from goat and sheep milk, originating in Greece.
What Is Farmstead Cheese?
Farmstead cheese, called farmhouse cheese in Europe, is made on the same farm that produced the milk. No outside milk is allowed, so each one tastes like the herd and land behind it.
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 Farmstead Cheese and Feta Cheese?
- Milk type: Farmstead Cheese (cow, goat, sheep, sometimes water buffalo), Feta Cheese (goat's and sheep's milk)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Farmstead Cheese | Feta Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | Greece |
| Specific Origin | Europe And North America | Mainland Greece And Lesbos Prefecture |
| Milk Type | Cow, goat, sheep, sometimes water buffalo | Goat's and sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Pasteurized, sometimes raw |
| Texture | — | Soft, white, aged in brine |
| Rind | — | None |
| Aging | — | 2 months to longer |
| Taste | — | Sharp to mild |
Taste Comparison: Does Farmstead Cheese Taste Like Feta Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Farmstead Cheese for Feta Cheese?
Farmstead Cheese can stand in for Feta Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Farmstead Cheese or Feta 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 Farmstead Cheese the same as Feta Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Farmstead Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk; Feta Cheese uses goat and sheep.
Is Farmstead Cheese similar to Feta Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Farmstead Cheese for Feta Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Farmstead Cheese taste like Feta Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Farmstead Cheese made of?
Farmstead Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk.
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, Farmstead Cheese or Feta Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.