Feta Cheese vs Swaledale Ewes' Cheese

Feta Cheese is a soft, white, aged in brine goat and sheep-milk cheese from Greece, while Swaledale Ewes' Cheese is hard, firm, crumbly and made from sheep milk.

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 Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?

Swaledale Ewes Cheese is a full-fat hard cheese made from ewe’s milk in Swaledale, North Yorkshire. It has a cylindrical shape, a firm and crumbly texture, and a natural white color. The cheese is either coated in a greenish-blue-grey mold or sealed with black wax. Made entirely by hand, the traditional production process includes pressing, brining for 24 hours, and a maturation period of 3 to 4 weeks. The cheese has been produced in the region for centuries using a closely guarded recipe passed down through generations. The distinct flavor is influenced by the local pastures, which provide a unique mix of herbs and grasses for the sheep.

What's the Difference Between Feta Cheese and Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?

• Milk type: Feta Cheese (goat's and sheep's milk), Swaledale Ewes' Cheese (Sheep)
• Texture: Feta Cheese (Soft, white, aged in brine), Swaledale Ewes' Cheese (Hard, firm, crumbly)
• Rind: Feta Cheese (None), Swaledale Ewes' Cheese (Greenish-blue-grey mold or black wax coating)
• Aging: Feta Cheese (2 months to longer), Swaledale Ewes' Cheese (3 to 4 weeks)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Feta Cheese Taste Like Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Feta Cheese at 2 months to longer develops a different profile than Swaledale Ewes' Cheese at 3 to 4 weeks.

Can You Substitute Feta Cheese for Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?

Feta Cheese can stand in for Swaledale Ewes' 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 hard, firm, crumbly.

Which Is Better, Feta Cheese or Swaledale Ewes' 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 hard, firm, crumbly profile, Swaledale Ewes' Cheese is the better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Feta Cheese the same as Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Feta Cheese is made from goat and sheep milk; Swaledale Ewes' Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Feta Cheese is typically aged 2 months to longer, Swaledale Ewes' Cheese 3 to 4 weeks.

Is Feta Cheese similar to Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Feta Cheese for Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?

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

Does Feta Cheese taste like Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.

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 Swaledale Ewes' Cheese made of?

Swaledale Ewes' Cheese is made from sheep milk. It's typically aged 3 to 4 weeks.

Which should I choose, Feta Cheese or Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Feta Cheese is soft, white, aged in brine, while Swaledale Ewes' Cheese is hard, firm, crumbly.