Kashkaval Cheese vs Tulum Cheese

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Kashkaval Cheese is a medium-hard to hard, elastic cow or sheep-milk cheese from Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia and Turkey, while Tulum Cheese is a goat-milk cheese, originating in Turkey.

What Is Kashkaval Cheese?

Kashkaval is a yellow cheese from the Balkans made with cow, sheep or goat milk, or a mixture of them. It melts and fries well, so it shows up on pizza, inside breakfast pastries and as a filling in Levantine baking.

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 Kashkaval Cheese and Tulum Cheese?

  • Origin: Kashkaval Cheese (Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia and Turkey), Tulum Cheese (Turkey)
  • Milk type: Kashkaval Cheese (cow's or sheep's milk), Tulum Cheese (goat)
  • Milk treatment: Kashkaval Cheese (Varied), Tulum Cheese (raw)
  • Aging: Kashkaval Cheese (Minimum of two months), Tulum Cheese (about 6 months)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Kashkaval Cheese Tulum Cheese
Country of Origin Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia And Turkey Turkey
Specific Origin The Balkans, Turkey And The Levant Turkey
Milk Type Cow's or sheep's milk Goat
Milk Treatment Varied Raw
Texture Medium-hard to hard, elastic —
Rind Varied —
Aging Minimum of two months About 6 months
Taste Piquant —

Taste Comparison: Does Kashkaval Cheese Taste Like Tulum Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Kashkaval Cheese at minimum of two months develops a different profile than Tulum Cheese at about 6 months.

Can You Substitute Kashkaval Cheese for Tulum Cheese?

Kashkaval Cheese can stand in for Tulum Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.

Which Is Better, Kashkaval 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 Kashkaval Cheese the same as Tulum Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Kashkaval Cheese originates in Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia and Turkey, while Tulum Cheese comes from Turkey. Kashkaval Cheese is made from cow or sheep milk; Tulum Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Kashkaval Cheese is typically aged minimum of two months, Tulum Cheese about 6 months.

Is Kashkaval Cheese similar to Tulum Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Kashkaval Cheese for Tulum Cheese?

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

Does Kashkaval Cheese taste like Tulum Cheese?

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

What is Kashkaval Cheese made of?

Kashkaval Cheese is made from cow or sheep milk (varied), using varied rennet. It's typically aged minimum of two months. It originates in Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia and Turkey.

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, Kashkaval Cheese or Tulum Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.