Ġbejna Cheese vs Tulum Cheese
Ġbejna Cheese is a soft goat or sheep-milk cheese from Malta, while Tulum Cheese is a goat-milk cheese, originating in Turkey.
What Is Ġbejna Cheese?
Ġbejna is a small round cheese from Malta made with sheep milk, salt and rennet. It is sold fresh in its own whey, sundried, salt cured, or coated in crushed black pepper, and it shows up in Maltese soups, pasta and ħobż biż-żejt.
What Is Tulum Cheese?
Tulum is a Turkish goat's milk cheese ripened inside a goatskin casing, which is what the word tulum means in Turkish. It is made in several regions, and versions from Erzincan, İzmir, Divle, Çimi and Kargı each taste different.
What's the Difference Between Ġbejna Cheese and Tulum Cheese?
- Origin: Ġbejna Cheese (Malta), Tulum Cheese (Turkey)
- Milk type: Ġbejna Cheese (goat's or sheep's milk), Tulum Cheese (goat)
- Aging: Ġbejna Cheese (Fresh within 24 hours), Tulum Cheese (about 6 months)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Ġbejna Cheese | Tulum Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Malta | Turkey |
| Specific Origin | Maltese Islands | Turkey |
| Milk Type | Goat's or sheep's milk | Goat |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Raw |
| Texture | Soft | — |
| Rind | None | — |
| Aging | Fresh within 24 hours | About 6 months |
| Taste | Savory | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Ġbejna Cheese Taste Like Tulum Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Ġbejna Cheese at fresh within 24 hours develops a different profile than Tulum Cheese at about 6 months.
Can You Substitute Ġbejna Cheese for Tulum Cheese?
Ġbejna Cheese can stand in for Tulum Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Ġbejna Cheese or Tulum Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ġbejna Cheese the same as Tulum Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Ġbejna Cheese originates in Malta, while Tulum Cheese comes from Turkey. Ġbejna Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk; Tulum Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Ġbejna Cheese is typically aged fresh within 24 hours, Tulum Cheese about 6 months.
Is Ġbejna Cheese similar to Tulum Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Ġbejna Cheese for Tulum Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Ġbejna Cheese taste like Tulum Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Ġbejna Cheese made of?
Ġbejna Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk (raw), using natural animal rennet. It's typically aged fresh within 24 hours. It originates in Malta.
What is Tulum Cheese made of?
Tulum Cheese is made from goat milk (raw). It's typically aged about 6 months. It originates in Turkey.
Which should I choose, Ġbejna Cheese or Tulum Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.