Feta Cheese vs Ossau-Iraty Cheese

Feta Cheese is a soft goat or sheep-milk cheese from Greece, while Ossau-Iraty Cheese is semi-hard, creamy and made from sheep milk, originating in France.

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 Ossau-Iraty Cheese?

Ossau-Iraty is a sheep's milk cheese from the Northern Basque Country and Béarn in south-western France. Uncooked and pressed, it is smooth, creamy and firm, and has held appellation d'origine contrôlée status since 1980.

What's the Difference Between Feta Cheese and Ossau-Iraty Cheese?

• Origin: Feta Cheese (Greece), Ossau-Iraty Cheese (France)
• Milk type: Feta Cheese (Sheep's milk, sometimes with goat's milk), Ossau-Iraty Cheese (Sheep's milk)
• Milk treatment: Feta Cheese (Pasteurized, sometimes raw), Ossau-Iraty Cheese (Raw)
• Texture: Feta Cheese (Soft), Ossau-Iraty Cheese (Semi-hard, creamy)
• Rind: Feta Cheese (None), Ossau-Iraty Cheese (Natural, smooth, orange to gray)
• Aging: Feta Cheese (2 months to longer), Ossau-Iraty Cheese (Minimum 80-120 days)
• Taste: Feta Cheese (Sharp to mild), Ossau-Iraty Cheese (fruity, herbaceous, nutty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Feta Cheese Taste Like Ossau-Iraty Cheese?

Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild, while Ossau-Iraty Cheese brings fruity, herbaceous, nutty character. On the nose, Feta Cheese offers ewe's milk, butter, yoghurt, contrasted with Ossau-Iraty Cheese's rich. Aging plays into this as well. Feta Cheese at 2 months to longer develops a different profile than Ossau-Iraty Cheese at minimum 80-120 days.

Can You Substitute Feta Cheese for Ossau-Iraty Cheese?

Feta Cheese can stand in for Ossau-Iraty Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard, creamy. Flavor-wise, Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild while Ossau-Iraty Cheese brings fruity, herbaceous, nutty notes.

Which Is Better, Feta Cheese or Ossau-Iraty Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft cheese, go with Feta Cheese. For a semi-hard, creamy profile, Ossau-Iraty Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Feta Cheese suits recipes that want sharp to mild notes, while Ossau-Iraty Cheese fits dishes calling for fruity, herbaceous, nutty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Feta Cheese the same as Ossau-Iraty Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Feta Cheese originates in Greece, while Ossau-Iraty Cheese comes from France. Feta Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk; Ossau-Iraty Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Feta Cheese is typically aged 2 months to longer, Ossau-Iraty Cheese minimum 80-120 days.

Is Feta Cheese similar to Ossau-Iraty Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Feta Cheese for Ossau-Iraty Cheese?

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

Does Feta Cheese taste like Ossau-Iraty Cheese?

Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild, while Ossau-Iraty Cheese is fruity, herbaceous, nutty. Aromas also diverge. Feta Cheese leans ewe's milk, butter, yoghurt, and Ossau-Iraty Cheese is closer to rich.

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 Ossau-Iraty Cheese made of?

Ossau-Iraty Cheese is made from sheep milk (raw). It's typically aged minimum 80-120 days. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Feta Cheese or Ossau-Iraty Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Feta Cheese is soft, while Ossau-Iraty Cheese is semi-hard, creamy.