Feta Cheese vs Havarti Cheese
Feta Cheese
Havarti Cheese
Feta Cheese is a soft, white, aged in brine goat and sheep-milk cheese from Greece, while Havarti Cheese is smooth and made from cow milk, originating in Denmark.
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 Havarti Cheese?
Havarti is a semisoft Danish cow's milk cheese, mild and buttery with very small irregular eyes running through a rindless, cream to yellow paste. It slices, grills, and melts, and the EU reserved the name for Denmark in 2019.
What's the Difference Between Feta Cheese and Havarti Cheese?
- Origin: Feta Cheese (Greece), Havarti Cheese (Denmark)
- Milk type: Feta Cheese (goat's and sheep's milk), Havarti Cheese (cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Feta Cheese (Pasteurized, sometimes raw), Havarti Cheese (pasteurized)
- Texture: Feta Cheese (Soft, white, aged in brine), Havarti Cheese (Smooth)
- Rind: Feta Cheese (None), Havarti Cheese (rindless)
- Aging: Feta Cheese (2 months to longer), Havarti Cheese (about 3 months)
- Taste: Feta Cheese (Sharp to mild), Havarti Cheese (Mild, buttery)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feta Cheese | Havarti Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Greece | Denmark |
| Specific Origin | Mainland Greece And Lesbos Prefecture | Denmark |
| Milk Type | Goat's and sheep's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized, sometimes raw | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Soft, white, aged in brine | Smooth |
| Rind | None | Rindless |
| Aging | 2 months to longer | About 3 months |
| Taste | Sharp to mild | Mild, buttery |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese: wines, foods, breads and more.
| Feta Cheese | Havarti Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Pairs well with | Albariño, Asparagus, Avocado, Cod, Dirty Martini, Green Tea, Kiwi, Kolsch, Kombucha, Mangoes, Muscat, Pesto and more | Kolsch, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Apples, Asian Pear, Asparagus, Belgian Blonde, California Viogniers, Champagne, Crackers, Dirty Martini, Green Apple and more |
Taste Comparison: Does Feta Cheese Taste Like Havarti Cheese?
Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild, while Havarti Cheese brings mild, buttery character. On the nose, Feta Cheese offers ewe's milk, butter, yoghurt, contrasted with Havarti Cheese's buttery. More specifically, Feta Cheese shows 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., while Havarti Cheese leans toward mild, buttery, slightly acidic cheese known for its irregularly shaped small holes creating a lacy appearance. smooth and firm texture, can be complimented with herbs or jalapeño peppers. variants include creamy versions with up to 65% fat on dry matter basis. manufactured in denmark, united kingdom, canada, and the united states, including artisanal and mass-produced by arla foods and costello.. Aging plays into this as well. Feta Cheese at 2 months to longer develops a different profile than Havarti Cheese at about 3 months.
Can You Substitute Feta Cheese for Havarti Cheese?
Feta Cheese can stand in for Havarti Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, white, aged in brine bite and body where the recipe calls for smooth. Flavor-wise, Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild while Havarti Cheese brings mild, buttery notes.
Which Is Better, Feta Cheese or Havarti Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, white, aged in brine cheese, go with Feta Cheese. For a smooth profile, Havarti Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Feta Cheese suits recipes that want sharp to mild notes, while Havarti Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, buttery.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Feta Cheese the same as Havarti Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Feta Cheese originates in Greece, while Havarti Cheese comes from Denmark. Feta Cheese is made from goat and sheep milk; Havarti Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Feta Cheese is typically aged 2 months to longer, Havarti Cheese about 3 months.
Is Feta Cheese similar to Havarti Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Feta Cheese for Havarti Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Feta Cheese taste like Havarti Cheese?
Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild, while Havarti Cheese is mild, buttery. Aromas also diverge. Feta Cheese leans ewe's milk, butter, yoghurt, and Havarti Cheese is closer to buttery.
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.
What is Havarti Cheese made of?
Havarti Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged about 3 months. It originates in Denmark.
Which should I choose, Feta Cheese or Havarti Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Feta Cheese is soft, white, aged in brine, while Havarti Cheese is smooth.