Feta Cheese vs Pimento Cheese
Feta Cheese is a soft, white, aged in brine goat and sheep-milk cheese from Greece, while Pimento Cheese is spreadable, originating in United States.
What Is Feta Cheese?
Feta is a brined curd white cheese from Greece, made traditionally from sheep's milk, or from a mixture of sheep and goat's milk. It is crumbly with a slightly grainy texture and has a salty, tangy flavor. Feta is commonly used in salads, pastries, and as a table cheese, and is central to Greek cuisine.
What Is Pimento Cheese?
Pimento cheese is a popular spread in the Southern United States, made from cheddar cheese, pimento peppers, and mayonnaise. Sometimes referred to as the "pâté of the South," it has a creamy, tangy flavor and is often used as a filling for sandwiches, a topping for crackers, or a dip for vegetables.
What's the Difference Between Feta Cheese and Pimento Cheese?
- Origin: Feta Cheese (Greece), Pimento Cheese (United States)
- Milk type: Feta Cheese (goat's and sheep's milk), Pimento Cheese (Cheddar, farmers’ style)
- Texture: Feta Cheese (Soft, white, aged in brine), Pimento Cheese (Spreadable)
- Taste: Feta Cheese (Sharp to mild), Pimento Cheese (Sweet, rounded chili)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feta Cheese | Pimento Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Greece | United States |
| Specific Origin | Throughout Greece | Southern United States |
| Milk Type | Goat's and sheep's milk | Cheddar, farmers’ style |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized, sometimes raw | — |
| Texture | Soft, white, aged in brine | Spreadable |
| Rind | None | — |
| Aging | 2 months to longer | — |
| Taste | Sharp to mild | Sweet, rounded chili |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Feta Cheese | Pimento Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Albariño, Asparagus, Avocado, Cod, Dirty Martini, Green Tea, Kiwi, Kolsch, Kombucha, Mangoes, Muscat, Pesto, Pinot Grigio, Pistachios, Pumpkin, Riesling, Roasted Vegetables, Salmon, Sauvignon Blanc, Seaweed, Shrimp, Sweet Potato, Tomatoes | — |
| Other Good Pairings | Beaujolais, Cabernet Franc, California Viogniers, Chicken, Dried Cranberries, Fruit Compote, Gamay, German Riesling, Grüner Veltliner, Muscat, Pinot Gris, Prosecco, Raspberry, Sparkling Rosé, Strawberries, Tacos, Tequila, Tuna, Viognier | — |
Which would you pick?
One click, anonymous — see what others chose.
Where to buy Feta Cheese and Pimento Cheese
Feta Cheese
Pimento Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Feta Cheese Taste Like Pimento Cheese?
Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild, while Pimento Cheese brings sweet, rounded chili character. On the nose, Feta Cheese offers nutty, strong, contrasted with Pimento Cheese's sweet, rounded chili. 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 Pimento Cheese leans toward pimento peppers, mayonnaise, sometimes spicy additions.
Can You Substitute Feta Cheese for Pimento Cheese?
Feta Cheese can stand in for Pimento 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 spreadable. Flavor-wise, Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild while Pimento Cheese brings sweet, rounded chili notes.
Which Is Better, Feta Cheese or Pimento 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 spreadable profile, Pimento Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Feta Cheese suits recipes that want sharp to mild notes, while Pimento Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet, rounded chili.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Feta Cheese the same as Pimento Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Feta Cheese originates in Greece, while Pimento Cheese comes from United States.
Is Feta Cheese similar to Pimento Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Feta Cheese for Pimento Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Feta Cheese taste like Pimento Cheese?
Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild, while Pimento Cheese is sweet, rounded chili. Aromas also diverge. Feta Cheese leans nutty, strong, and Pimento Cheese is closer to sweet, rounded chili.
What is Feta Cheese made of?
Feta Cheese is made from goat and sheep milk (pasteurized, sometimes raw). It's typically aged 2 months to longer. It originates in Greece.
What is Pimento Cheese made of?
Pimento Cheese is made from milk. It originates in United States.
Which should I choose, Feta Cheese or Pimento Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Feta Cheese is soft, white, aged in brine, while Pimento Cheese is spreadable.
See full profiles: Feta Cheese and Pimento Cheese.