Gruyère Cheese vs Tulum Cheese
Gruyère Cheese is a dense, moister cow-milk cheese from Switzerland, while Tulum Cheese is a goat-milk cheese, originating in Turkey.
What Is Gruyère Cheese?
Gruyère is a hard Swiss cheese from the cantons of Fribourg, Vaud, Neuchâtel, Jura and Bern. It is sweet with a salty edge, creamy and nutty when young, sharper and earthier with age, and it melts well enough to carry fondue and French onion soup.
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 Gruyère Cheese and Tulum Cheese?
- Origin: Gruyère Cheese (Switzerland), Tulum Cheese (Turkey)
- Milk type: Gruyère Cheese (Cow’s milk), Tulum Cheese (goat)
- Aging: Gruyère Cheese (5 months to 24+), Tulum Cheese (about 6 months)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Gruyère Cheese | Tulum Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Switzerland | Turkey |
| Specific Origin | Switzerland, Specifically The Gruyère Region. | Turkey |
| Milk Type | Cow’s milk | Goat |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Raw |
| Texture | Dense, moister | — |
| Rind | Natural, orangy | — |
| Aging | 5 months to 24+ | About 6 months |
| Taste | Nutty, complex | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Gruyère Cheese Taste Like Tulum Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Gruyère Cheese at 5 months to 24+ develops a different profile than Tulum Cheese at about 6 months.
Can You Substitute Gruyère Cheese for Tulum Cheese?
Gruyère Cheese can stand in for Tulum Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Gruyère 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 Gruyère Cheese the same as Tulum Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Gruyère Cheese originates in Switzerland, while Tulum Cheese comes from Turkey. Gruyère Cheese is made from cow milk; Tulum Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Gruyère Cheese is typically aged 5 months to 24+, Tulum Cheese about 6 months.
Is Gruyère Cheese similar to Tulum Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Gruyère Cheese for Tulum Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Gruyère Cheese taste like Tulum Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Gruyère Cheese made of?
Gruyère Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged 5 months to 24+. It originates in Switzerland.
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, Gruyère Cheese or Tulum Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.