Havarti Cheese vs Myzithra Cheese
Havarti Cheese is a smooth cow-milk cheese from Denmark, while Myzithra Cheese is soft, whey and made from goat or sheep milk, originating in Greece.
What Is Havarti Cheese?
Havarti is a semisoft Danish cow's milk cheese, mild and buttery with very small irregular eyes running through a rindless, cream to yellow paste. It slices, grills, and melts, and the EU reserved the name for Denmark in 2019.
What Is Myzithra Cheese?
Mizithra is a Greek whey cheese made from sheep's or goat's milk and whey, produced mainly on Crete. It is sold fresh and soft like ricotta, or salted and dried into the grating cheese Greeks sprinkle over hot pasta.
What's the Difference Between Havarti Cheese and Myzithra Cheese?
- Origin: Havarti Cheese (Denmark), Myzithra Cheese (Greece)
- Milk type: Havarti Cheese (cow's milk), Myzithra Cheese (goat's or sheep's milk)
- Milk treatment: Havarti Cheese (pasteurized), Myzithra Cheese (raw)
- Texture: Havarti Cheese (Smooth), Myzithra Cheese (soft, whey)
- Aging: Havarti Cheese (about 3 months), Myzithra Cheese (a few days for the fresh form)
- Taste: Havarti Cheese (Mild, buttery), Myzithra Cheese (mild)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Havarti Cheese | Myzithra Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Denmark | Greece |
| Specific Origin | Denmark | Crete, Greece |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Goat's or sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Smooth | Soft, whey |
| Rind | Rindless | — |
| Aging | About 3 months | A few days for the fresh form |
| Taste | Mild, buttery | Mild |
Taste Comparison: Does Havarti Cheese Taste Like Myzithra Cheese?
Havarti Cheese reads as mild, buttery, while Myzithra Cheese brings mild character. More specifically, Havarti Cheese shows mild, buttery, slightly acidic cheese known for its irregularly shaped small holes creating a lacy appearance. smooth and firm texture, can be complimented with herbs or jalapeño peppers. variants include creamy versions with up to 65% fat on dry matter basis. manufactured in denmark, united kingdom, canada, and the united states, including artisanal and mass-produced by arla foods and costello., while Myzithra Cheese leans toward almost sweet and milky when fresh. Aging plays into this as well. Havarti Cheese at about 3 months develops a different profile than Myzithra Cheese at a few days for the fresh form.
Can You Substitute Havarti Cheese for Myzithra Cheese?
Havarti Cheese can stand in for Myzithra Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect smooth bite and body where the recipe calls for soft, whey. Flavor-wise, Havarti Cheese reads as mild, buttery while Myzithra Cheese brings mild notes.
Which Is Better, Havarti Cheese or Myzithra Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a smooth cheese, go with Havarti Cheese. For a soft, whey profile, Myzithra Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Havarti Cheese suits recipes that want mild, buttery notes, while Myzithra Cheese fits dishes calling for mild.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Havarti Cheese the same as Myzithra Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Havarti Cheese originates in Denmark, while Myzithra Cheese comes from Greece. Havarti Cheese is made from cow milk; Myzithra Cheese uses goat or sheep. Aging also differs: Havarti Cheese is typically aged about 3 months, Myzithra Cheese a few days for the fresh form.
Is Havarti Cheese similar to Myzithra Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Havarti Cheese for Myzithra Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Havarti Cheese taste like Myzithra Cheese?
Havarti Cheese reads as mild, buttery, while Myzithra Cheese is mild.
What is Havarti Cheese made of?
Havarti Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged about 3 months. It originates in Denmark.
What is Myzithra Cheese made of?
Myzithra Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk (raw). It's typically aged a few days for the fresh form. It originates in Greece.
Which should I choose, Havarti Cheese or Myzithra Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Havarti Cheese is smooth, while Myzithra Cheese is soft, whey.