Feta Cheese vs Mozzarella Cheese
Feta Cheese
Mozzarella Cheese
Feta Cheese is a soft, white, aged in brine goat and sheep-milk cheese from Greece, while Mozzarella Cheese is soft, creamy and made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk, originating in Italy.
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 Mozzarella Cheese?
Mozzarella is a semi-soft, non-aged cheese from southern Italy, made by stretching and kneading the curd. Cow's milk versions are called fior di latte, buffalo milk versions mozzarella di bufala, and it tops most pizza.
What's the Difference Between Feta Cheese and Mozzarella Cheese?
- Origin: Feta Cheese (Greece), Mozzarella Cheese (Italy)
- Milk type: Feta Cheese (goat's and sheep's milk), Mozzarella Cheese (cow's, goat's, sheep's or water buffalo's milk)
- Milk treatment: Feta Cheese (Pasteurized, sometimes raw), Mozzarella Cheese (Pasteurized)
- Texture: Feta Cheese (Soft, white, aged in brine), Mozzarella Cheese (Soft, creamy)
- Aging: Feta Cheese (2 months to longer), Mozzarella Cheese (Eaten fresh)
- Taste: Feta Cheese (Sharp to mild), Mozzarella Cheese (Mild, milky)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feta Cheese | Mozzarella Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Greece | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Mainland Greece And Lesbos Prefecture | Southern Italy |
| Milk Type | Goat's and sheep's milk | Cow's, goat's, sheep's or water buffalo's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized, sometimes raw | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Soft, white, aged in brine | Soft, creamy |
| Rind | None | None |
| Aging | 2 months to longer | Eaten fresh |
| Taste | Sharp to mild | Mild, milky |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese: wines, foods, breads and more.
| Feta Cheese | Mozzarella Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Pairs well with | Albariño, Asparagus, Avocado, Cod, Dirty Martini, Green Tea, Kiwi, Kolsch, Kombucha, Mangoes, Muscat, Pesto and more | Avocado, Chicken, Green Tea, Olives, Pesto, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Gris, Prosciutto, Sauvignon Blanc, Shrimp, Tomatoes, Tuna and more |
Taste Comparison: Does Feta Cheese Taste Like Mozzarella Cheese?
Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild, while Mozzarella Cheese brings mild, milky character. On the nose, Feta Cheese offers ewe's milk, butter, yoghurt, contrasted with Mozzarella Cheese's mild. 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 Mozzarella Cheese leans toward made globally; often used in pizza and italian dishes; cow's milk versions are most common.. Aging plays into this as well. Feta Cheese at 2 months to longer develops a different profile than Mozzarella Cheese at eaten fresh.
Can You Substitute Feta Cheese for Mozzarella Cheese?
Feta Cheese can stand in for Mozzarella 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 soft, creamy. Flavor-wise, Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild while Mozzarella Cheese brings mild, milky notes.
Which Is Better, Feta Cheese or Mozzarella 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 soft, creamy profile, Mozzarella Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Feta Cheese suits recipes that want sharp to mild notes, while Mozzarella Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, milky.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Feta Cheese the same as Mozzarella Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Feta Cheese originates in Greece, while Mozzarella Cheese comes from Italy. Feta Cheese is made from goat and sheep milk; Mozzarella Cheese uses cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo. Aging also differs: Feta Cheese is typically aged 2 months to longer, Mozzarella Cheese eaten fresh.
Is Feta Cheese similar to Mozzarella Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Feta Cheese for Mozzarella Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Feta Cheese taste like Mozzarella Cheese?
Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild, while Mozzarella Cheese is mild, milky. Aromas also diverge. Feta Cheese leans ewe's milk, butter, yoghurt, and Mozzarella Cheese is closer to mild.
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 Mozzarella Cheese made of?
Mozzarella Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk (pasteurized), using calf's or microbial rennet. It's typically aged eaten fresh. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Feta Cheese or Mozzarella Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Feta Cheese is soft, white, aged in brine, while Mozzarella Cheese is soft, creamy.