Feta Cheese vs Labneh Cheese

Feta Cheese is a soft goat or sheep-milk cheese from Greece, while Labneh Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in Middle East.

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 Labneh Cheese?

Labneh is a soft cheese made from pasteurized cow's milk, widely enjoyed throughout the Middle East. It's a staple in many regional dishes, known for its creamy and milky flavor with a pleasant sourness. The cheese has a fresh and mild aroma and is white in color without any rind. Often used as a spread or dip, labneh pairs well with olive oil, herbs, and spices. Its smooth and spreadable texture makes it a popular choice for sandwiches and mezze platters. Labneh can also be rolled into balls and preserved in olive oil for longer storage. The cheese is sometimes spelled as labne and is also referred to by names such as labaneh, chakka, lebnah, and suzma.

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

• Origin: Feta Cheese (Greece), Labneh Cheese (Middle East)
• Milk type: Feta Cheese (Sheep's milk, sometimes with goat's milk), Labneh Cheese (Cow's milk)
• Milk treatment: Feta Cheese (Pasteurized, sometimes raw), Labneh Cheese (pasteurized)
• Rind: Feta Cheese (None), Labneh Cheese (rindless)
• Taste: Feta Cheese (Sharp to mild), Labneh Cheese (creamy, milky, sour)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Feta Cheese Taste Like Labneh Cheese?

Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild, while Labneh Cheese brings creamy, milky, sour character. On the nose, Feta Cheese offers ewe's milk, butter, yoghurt, contrasted with Labneh Cheese's fresh, mild.

Can You Substitute Feta Cheese for Labneh Cheese?

Feta Cheese can stand in for Labneh Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Flavor-wise, Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild while Labneh Cheese brings creamy, milky, sour notes.

Which Is Better, Feta Cheese or Labneh Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. Flavor-wise, Feta Cheese suits recipes that want sharp to mild notes, while Labneh Cheese fits dishes calling for creamy, milky, sour.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Feta Cheese the same as Labneh Cheese?

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

Is Feta Cheese similar to Labneh Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Feta Cheese for Labneh Cheese?

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

Does Feta Cheese taste like Labneh Cheese?

Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild, while Labneh Cheese is creamy, milky, sour. Aromas also diverge. Feta Cheese leans ewe's milk, butter, yoghurt, and Labneh Cheese is closer to fresh, mild.

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 Labneh Cheese made of?

Labneh Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It originates in Middle East.

Which should I choose, Feta Cheese or Labneh Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.