Feta Cheese vs Pérail de Brebis Cheese

Feta Cheese is a soft goat or sheep-milk cheese from Greece, while Pérail de Brebis Cheese is soft 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 Pérail de Brebis Cheese?

Pérail de Brebis is a traditional French cheese made from unpasteurized sheep's milk. It has a soft and creamy texture, making it an artisan favorite. The cheese offers a full-flavored and strong taste, characteristic of sheep's milk cheeses. Its aroma is notably goaty, adding to its bold profile. The cheese has a pale yellow color, indicative of its creamy composition. Known also as Perail or Pérail, this cheese is enjoyed for its rich and assertive taste.

What's the Difference Between Feta Cheese and Pérail de Brebis Cheese?

• Origin: Feta Cheese (Greece), Pérail de Brebis Cheese (France)
• Milk type: Feta Cheese (Sheep's milk, sometimes with goat's milk), Pérail de Brebis Cheese (Sheep's milk)
• Milk treatment: Feta Cheese (Pasteurized, sometimes raw), Pérail de Brebis Cheese (unpasteurized)
• Taste: Feta Cheese (Sharp to mild), Pérail de Brebis Cheese (full-flavored, strong)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Feta Cheese Taste Like Pérail de Brebis Cheese?

Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild, while Pérail de Brebis Cheese brings full-flavored, strong character. On the nose, Feta Cheese offers ewe's milk, butter, yoghurt, contrasted with Pérail de Brebis Cheese's goaty.

Can You Substitute Feta Cheese for Pérail de Brebis Cheese?

Feta Cheese can stand in for Pérail de Brebis 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 Pérail de Brebis Cheese brings full-flavored, strong notes.

Which Is Better, Feta Cheese or Pérail de Brebis 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 Pérail de Brebis Cheese fits dishes calling for full-flavored, strong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Feta Cheese the same as Pérail de Brebis Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Feta Cheese originates in Greece, while Pérail de Brebis Cheese comes from France. Feta Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk; Pérail de Brebis Cheese uses sheep.

Is Feta Cheese similar to Pérail de Brebis Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Feta Cheese for Pérail de Brebis Cheese?

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

Does Feta Cheese taste like Pérail de Brebis Cheese?

Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild, while Pérail de Brebis Cheese is full-flavored, strong. Aromas also diverge. Feta Cheese leans ewe's milk, butter, yoghurt, and Pérail de Brebis Cheese is closer to goaty.

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 Pérail de Brebis Cheese made of?

Pérail de Brebis Cheese is made from sheep milk (unpasteurized). It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Feta Cheese or Pérail de Brebis Cheese?

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