Feta Cheese vs Pule Cheese
Feta Cheese is a soft, white, aged in brine goat and sheep-milk cheese from Greece, while Pule Cheese is artisan, originating in Serbia.
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 Pule Cheese?
Pule, or magareći sir, is a Serbian cheese made from 60% Balkan donkey milk and 40% goat's milk at the Zasavica Nature Reserve. It is reported to be the world's most expensive cheese at US$1300 per kilogram.
What's the Difference Between Feta Cheese and Pule Cheese?
- Origin: Feta Cheese (Greece), Pule Cheese (Serbia)
- Milk type: Feta Cheese (goat's and sheep's milk), Pule Cheese (donkey's milk)
- Texture: Feta Cheese (Soft, white, aged in brine), Pule Cheese (artisan)
- Taste: Feta Cheese (Sharp to mild), Pule Cheese (nutty and earthy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feta Cheese | Pule Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Greece | Serbia |
| Specific Origin | Mainland Greece And Lesbos Prefecture | Zasavica |
| Milk Type | Goat's and sheep's milk | Donkey's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized, sometimes raw | — |
| Texture | Soft, white, aged in brine | Artisan |
| Rind | None | — |
| Aging | 2 months to longer | — |
| Taste | Sharp to mild | Nutty and earthy |
Taste Comparison: Does Feta Cheese Taste Like Pule Cheese?
Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild, while Pule Cheese brings nutty and earthy character. 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 Pule Cheese leans toward nutty and earthy, reputedly similar to manchego.
Can You Substitute Feta Cheese for Pule Cheese?
Feta Cheese can stand in for Pule 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 artisan. Flavor-wise, Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild while Pule Cheese brings nutty and earthy notes.
Which Is Better, Feta Cheese or Pule 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 artisan profile, Pule Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Feta Cheese suits recipes that want sharp to mild notes, while Pule Cheese fits dishes calling for nutty and earthy.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Feta Cheese the same as Pule Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Feta Cheese originates in Greece, while Pule Cheese comes from Serbia.
Is Feta Cheese similar to Pule Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Feta Cheese for Pule Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Feta Cheese taste like Pule Cheese?
Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild, while Pule Cheese is nutty and earthy.
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 Pule Cheese made of?
Pule Cheese is made from milk. It originates in Serbia.
Which should I choose, Feta Cheese or Pule Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Feta Cheese is soft, white, aged in brine, while Pule Cheese is artisan.