Graviera Cheese vs Tulum Cheese
Graviera Cheese is a hard cow or sheep-milk cheese from Greece, while Tulum Cheese is a goat-milk cheese, originating in Turkey.
What Is Graviera Cheese?
Graviera is a hard Greek cheese made in wheels from sheep's or cow's milk, named after the gruyere it resembles. It tastes slightly sweet, sometimes with a burnt caramel note, and ranks second only to feta in Greece.
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 Graviera Cheese and Tulum Cheese?
- Origin: Graviera Cheese (Greece), Tulum Cheese (Turkey)
- Milk type: Graviera Cheese (cow's or sheep's milk), Tulum Cheese (goat)
- Milk treatment: Graviera Cheese (unpasteurized), Tulum Cheese (raw)
- Aging: Graviera Cheese (at least 5 months for Crete graviera), Tulum Cheese (about 6 months)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Graviera Cheese | Tulum Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Greece | Turkey |
| Specific Origin | Greece | Turkey |
| Milk Type | Cow's or sheep's milk | Goat |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Hard | — |
| Rind | Marked with a crisscross pattern from the draining cloth | — |
| Aging | At least 5 months for Crete graviera | About 6 months |
| Taste | Nutty, sweet | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Graviera Cheese Taste Like Tulum Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Graviera Cheese at at least 5 months for crete graviera develops a different profile than Tulum Cheese at about 6 months.
Can You Substitute Graviera Cheese for Tulum Cheese?
Graviera Cheese can stand in for Tulum Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Graviera 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 Graviera Cheese the same as Tulum Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Graviera Cheese originates in Greece, while Tulum Cheese comes from Turkey. Graviera Cheese is made from cow or sheep milk; Tulum Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Graviera Cheese is typically aged at least 5 months for crete graviera, Tulum Cheese about 6 months.
Is Graviera Cheese similar to Tulum Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Graviera Cheese for Tulum Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Graviera Cheese taste like Tulum Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Graviera Cheese made of?
Graviera Cheese is made from cow or sheep milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged at least 5 months for crete graviera. It originates in Greece.
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, Graviera Cheese or Tulum Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.