Frinault Cheese vs Quark Cheese

Frinault Cheese is a soft, soft-ripened cow-milk cheese from France, while Quark Cheese is soft, nonaged, unsalted and made from cow milk.

What Is Frinault Cheese?

Frinault is a soft cheese from the countryside around Orléans in France, made with pasteurized whole cow's milk at 50% fat. It comes as a small 120 g disc in three versions: plain, ash-ripened Frinault cendré, and the longer-aged Frinault sec.

What Is Quark Cheese?

Quark is a fresh acid-set cheese made by souring milk with lactic acid bacteria and straining the curd. Soft, white, unaged and usually unsalted, it anchors German, Austrian and Slavic cooking, where the drier version goes by tvorog.

What's the Difference Between Frinault Cheese and Quark Cheese?

• Texture: Frinault Cheese (soft, soft-ripened), Quark Cheese (Soft, nonaged, unsalted)
• Rind: Frinault Cheese (natural), Quark Cheese (None)
• Aging: Frinault Cheese (about 2 weeks), Quark Cheese (Fresh, nonaged)
• Taste: Frinault Cheese (spicy), Quark Cheese (Mild, slightly milky)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Frinault Cheese Taste Like Quark Cheese?

Frinault Cheese reads as spicy, while Quark Cheese brings mild, slightly milky character. On the nose, Frinault Cheese offers fermented, contrasted with Quark Cheese's mild, akin to yogurt. More specifically, Frinault Cheese shows fruity and more perfumed in the cendré version, close to olivet cendré, while Quark Cheese leans toward used in german-style cheesecake, sweet and savory dishes. Aging plays into this as well. Frinault Cheese at about 2 weeks develops a different profile than Quark Cheese at fresh, nonaged.

Can You Substitute Frinault Cheese for Quark Cheese?

In most recipes, Frinault Cheese and Quark Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect soft, soft-ripened bite and body where the recipe calls for soft, nonaged, unsalted. Flavor-wise, Frinault Cheese reads as spicy while Quark Cheese brings mild, slightly milky notes.

Which Is Better, Frinault Cheese or Quark Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, soft-ripened cheese, go with Frinault Cheese. For a soft, nonaged, unsalted profile, Quark Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Frinault Cheese suits recipes that want spicy notes, while Quark Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, slightly milky.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Frinault Cheese the same as Quark Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Frinault Cheese is typically aged about 2 weeks, Quark Cheese fresh, nonaged.

Is Frinault Cheese similar to Quark Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Frinault Cheese for Quark Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Frinault Cheese taste like Quark Cheese?

Frinault Cheese reads as spicy, while Quark Cheese is mild, slightly milky. Aromas also diverge. Frinault Cheese leans fermented, and Quark Cheese is closer to mild, akin to yogurt.

What is Frinault Cheese made of?

Frinault Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged about 2 weeks. It originates in France.

What is Quark Cheese made of?

Quark Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using traditionally none, commercial: very small amount of rennet. It's typically aged fresh, nonaged.

Which should I choose, Frinault Cheese or Quark Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Frinault Cheese is soft, soft-ripened, while Quark Cheese is soft, nonaged, unsalted.