Feta Cheese vs Forsterkase Cheese

Feta Cheese is a soft goat or sheep-milk cheese from Greece, while Forsterkase Cheese is semi-soft and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.

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 Is Forsterkase Cheese?

Forsterkase is a semi-soft, artisan cheese made from unpasteurized cow's milk in Sankt Gallen, Krümmenswil, Switzerland. It has an ivory color and a mold-ripened rind that contributes to its pungent and stinky aroma. The flavor profile of Forsterkase is floral, spicy, and woody, providing a rich taste experience. Its texture is smooth and creamy, making it easy to slice and enjoy. Known also as Försterkäse or Krümmenswiler Försterkäse, this cheese is a fine example of traditional Swiss cheesemaking. It's best enjoyed with crusty bread or paired with a robust wine to complement its bold flavors.

What's the Difference Between Feta Cheese and Forsterkase Cheese?

• Origin: Feta Cheese (Greece), Forsterkase Cheese (Switzerland)
• Milk type: Feta Cheese (Sheep's milk, sometimes with goat's milk), Forsterkase Cheese (Cow's milk)
• Milk treatment: Feta Cheese (Pasteurized, sometimes raw), Forsterkase Cheese (unpasteurized)
• Texture: Feta Cheese (Soft), Forsterkase Cheese (Semi-soft)
• Rind: Feta Cheese (None), Forsterkase Cheese (mold ripened)
• Taste: Feta Cheese (Sharp to mild), Forsterkase Cheese (floral, spicy, woody)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Feta Cheese Taste Like Forsterkase Cheese?

Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild, while Forsterkase Cheese brings floral, spicy, woody character. On the nose, Feta Cheese offers ewe's milk, butter, yoghurt, contrasted with Forsterkase Cheese's pungent, stinky.

Can You Substitute Feta Cheese for Forsterkase Cheese?

Feta Cheese can stand in for Forsterkase 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 semi-soft. Flavor-wise, Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild while Forsterkase Cheese brings floral, spicy, woody notes.

Which Is Better, Feta Cheese or Forsterkase Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft cheese, go with Feta Cheese. For a semi-soft profile, Forsterkase Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Feta Cheese suits recipes that want sharp to mild notes, while Forsterkase Cheese fits dishes calling for floral, spicy, woody.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Feta Cheese the same as Forsterkase Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Feta Cheese originates in Greece, while Forsterkase Cheese comes from Switzerland. Feta Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk; Forsterkase Cheese uses cow.

Is Feta Cheese similar to Forsterkase Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Feta Cheese for Forsterkase Cheese?

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

Does Feta Cheese taste like Forsterkase Cheese?

Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild, while Forsterkase Cheese is floral, spicy, woody. Aromas also diverge. Feta Cheese leans ewe's milk, butter, yoghurt, and Forsterkase Cheese is closer to pungent, stinky.

What is Feta Cheese made of?

Feta Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk (pasteurized, sometimes raw), using rennet. It's typically aged 2 months to longer. It originates in Greece.

What is Forsterkase Cheese made of?

Forsterkase Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It originates in Switzerland.

Which should I choose, Feta Cheese or Forsterkase Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Feta Cheese is soft, while Forsterkase Cheese is semi-soft.