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Feta Cheese vs Halloumi Cheese
Feta Cheese
Halloumi Cheese
In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Feta Cheese and Halloumi Cheese, including:
- "What is the difference between Feta Cheese and Halloumi Cheese?"
- "Is Feta Cheese and Halloumi Cheese the same?"
- "How does Feta Cheese compare to Halloumi Cheese cheese?"
- "How does the taste of Feta Cheese compare to Halloumi Cheese?"
- "Is Feta Cheese or Halloumi Cheese better?"
Feta Cheese Overview
Feta is a brined curd white cheese from Greece, made traditionally from sheep's milk, or from a mixture of sheep and goat's milk. It is crumbly with a slightly grainy texture and has a salty, tangy flavor. Feta is commonly used in salads, pastries, and as a table cheese, and is central to Greek cuisine.
Halloumi Cheese Overview
Halloumi is a semi-hard, unripened brined cheese from Cyprus, made from a mixture of goat’s and sheep’s milk, and sometimes also cow’s milk. Renowned for its high melting point, Halloumi can be grilled or fried to a crispy exterior with a soft, chewy interior. It has a salty flavor and is often enjoyed with a squeeze of lemon.
Comparing the Two Cheeses
Country of Origin
Feta Cheese comes from Greece. Halloumi Cheese originated from Cyprus.
Certification
Many cheeses have some kind of protected status that makes it so they can only be produced in a certain manner and location. Feta Cheese has a PDO (2002). Halloumi Cheese has a PDO (2014).
Milk Type and Treatment
Feta Cheese is made with goat and sheep milk that is typically raw or pasteurized. Halloumi Cheese is made with cow, goat, and sheep milk.
Composition and Texture
Feta Cheese has a moisture content of high. Feta's texture can be described as "soft, white, aged in brine". Halloumi's texture can be described as "semihard".
Taste and Aroma
Feta Cheese has a sharp to mild taste. Feta's aroma can be described as "nutty, strong". Halloumi Cheese has a mild, salty taste. Halloumi's aroma can be described as "strong".
Appearance and Aging
Feta Cheese's appearance is colored white , is available in blocks submerged in brine, barrels and is aged 2 months to longer . Halloumi Cheese has a color of white to light yellow and has an aging period of 40 days .
Rind and Rennet Type
Feta Cheese's rind is described as none . Halloumi Cheese's rind is described as no rind , with animal rennet.
Ranking
Feta is ranked #33 out of 996 types based on community views. Halloumi is ranked #97 out of 996 types based on community views.
Pairing Comparison
| Feta | Halloumi | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Albariño, Asparagus, Avocado, Cod, Dirty Martini, Green Tea, Kiwi, Kolsch, Kombucha, Mangoes, Muscat, Pesto, Pinot Grigio, Pistachios, Pumpkin, Riesling, Roasted Vegetables, Salmon, Sauvignon Blanc, Seaweed, Shrimp, Sweet Potato, Tomatoes | No pairings listed. |
| Other Good Pairings | Beaujolais, Cabernet Franc, California Viogniers, Chicken, Dried Cranberries, Fruit Compote, Gamay, German Riesling, Grüner Veltliner, Muscat, Pinot Gris, Prosecco, Raspberry, Sparkling Rosé, Strawberries, Tacos, Tequila, Tuna, Viognier | No additional pairings listed. |
For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Feta and Halloumi pages.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Feta Cheese | Halloumi Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Greece | Cyprus |
| Specific Origin | Throughout Greece | Cyprus |
| Certification | PDO (2002) | PDO (2014) |
| Milk Type | Goat's and sheep's milk | Cow's, goat's and sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized, sometimes raw | Not Specified |
| Moisture Content | High | Not Specified |
| Rind | None | No rind |
| Texture | Soft, white, aged in brine | Semihard |
| Taste | Sharp to mild | Mild, salty |
| Aroma | Nutty, strong | Strong |
| Colors | White | White to light yellow |
| Forms | Blocks submerged in brine, barrels | Not Specified |
| Age | 2 months to longer | 40 days |
| Rennet Type | Not Specified | Animal |
Which One Should You Choose?
If you prefer a soft, white, aged in brine cheese, go for Feta. But if you enjoy a semihard consistency, Halloumi might be the better pick. Feta has a sharp to mild taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Halloumi offers a mild, salty profile, ideal for different meals.
