Feta Cheese vs Naboulsi Cheese
Feta Cheese is a soft, white, aged in brine goat and sheep-milk cheese from Greece, while Naboulsi Cheese is semi-hard, brined and made from goat or sheep milk, originating in Middle East and Palestine.
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 Naboulsi Cheese?
Nabulsi is a Palestinian white brined cheese named for Nablus, made mostly from sheep's milk and flavored with mahleb and mastic in the brine. It comes in white rectangular blocks that turn soft and stretchy when heated, which is why it fills knafeh.
What's the Difference Between Feta Cheese and Naboulsi Cheese?
- Origin: Feta Cheese (Greece), Naboulsi Cheese (Middle East and Palestine)
- Milk type: Feta Cheese (goat's and sheep's milk), Naboulsi Cheese (goat's or sheep's milk)
- Milk treatment: Feta Cheese (Pasteurized, sometimes raw), Naboulsi Cheese (pasteurized)
- Texture: Feta Cheese (Soft, white, aged in brine), Naboulsi Cheese (semi-hard, brined)
- Rind: Feta Cheese (None), Naboulsi Cheese (natural)
- Taste: Feta Cheese (Sharp to mild), Naboulsi Cheese (salty)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feta Cheese | Naboulsi Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Greece | Middle East And Palestine |
| Specific Origin | Mainland Greece And Lesbos Prefecture | Nablus, Palestine |
| Milk Type | Goat's and sheep's milk | Goat's or sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized, sometimes raw | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Soft, white, aged in brine | Semi-hard, brined |
| Rind | None | Natural |
| Aging | 2 months to longer | — |
| Taste | Sharp to mild | Salty |
Taste Comparison: Does Feta Cheese Taste Like Naboulsi Cheese?
Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild, while Naboulsi Cheese brings salty character. On the nose, Feta Cheese offers ewe's milk, butter, yoghurt, contrasted with Naboulsi Cheese's fresh.
Can You Substitute Feta Cheese for Naboulsi Cheese?
Feta Cheese can stand in for Naboulsi 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 semi-hard, brined. Flavor-wise, Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild while Naboulsi Cheese brings salty notes.
Which Is Better, Feta Cheese or Naboulsi 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 semi-hard, brined profile, Naboulsi Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Feta Cheese suits recipes that want sharp to mild notes, while Naboulsi Cheese fits dishes calling for salty.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Feta Cheese the same as Naboulsi Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Feta Cheese originates in Greece, while Naboulsi Cheese comes from Middle East and Palestine. Feta Cheese is made from goat and sheep milk; Naboulsi Cheese uses goat or sheep.
Is Feta Cheese similar to Naboulsi Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Feta Cheese for Naboulsi Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Feta Cheese taste like Naboulsi Cheese?
Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild, while Naboulsi Cheese is salty. Aromas also diverge. Feta Cheese leans ewe's milk, butter, yoghurt, and Naboulsi Cheese is closer to fresh.
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 Naboulsi Cheese made of?
Naboulsi Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk (pasteurized). It originates in Middle East and Palestine.
Which should I choose, Feta Cheese or Naboulsi Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Feta Cheese is soft, white, aged in brine, while Naboulsi Cheese is semi-hard, brined.