Morlacco Cheese vs Quark Cheese
Morlacco Cheese is a soft, artisan cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Quark Cheese is soft, nonaged, unsalted and made from cow milk.
What Is Morlacco Cheese?
Morlacco is a soft, low-fat cow's milk cheese from Monte Grappa in Italy's Veneto region, made with an uncooked curd. It is known for the milk of the Burlina cow, a piebald local breed now at risk of extinction.
What Is Quark Cheese?
Quark is a fresh acid-set cheese made by souring milk with lactic acid bacteria and straining the curd. Soft, white, unaged and usually unsalted, it anchors German, Austrian and Slavic cooking, where the drier version goes by tvorog.
What's the Difference Between Morlacco Cheese and Quark Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Morlacco Cheese (skimmed or whole), Quark Cheese (pasteurized)
- Texture: Morlacco Cheese (soft, artisan), Quark Cheese (Soft, nonaged, unsalted)
- Rind: Morlacco Cheese (natural), Quark Cheese (None)
- Aging: Morlacco Cheese (20 days to 3 months), Quark Cheese (Fresh, nonaged)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Morlacco Cheese | Quark Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | — |
| Specific Origin | Monte Grappa, Veneto, Italy | Widespread In German-Speaking And Slavic Countries, As Well As Northern Europe |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Skimmed or whole | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Soft, artisan | Soft, nonaged, unsalted |
| Rind | Natural | None |
| Aging | 20 days to 3 months | Fresh, nonaged |
| Taste | — | Mild, slightly milky |
Taste Comparison: Does Morlacco Cheese Taste Like Quark Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. On the nose, Morlacco Cheese offers fresh, contrasted with Quark Cheese's mild, akin to yogurt. Aging plays into this as well. Morlacco Cheese at 20 days to 3 months develops a different profile than Quark Cheese at fresh, nonaged.
Can You Substitute Morlacco Cheese for Quark Cheese?
In most recipes, Morlacco Cheese and Quark Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect soft, artisan bite and body where the recipe calls for soft, nonaged, unsalted.
Which Is Better, Morlacco Cheese or Quark Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, artisan cheese, go with Morlacco Cheese. For a soft, nonaged, unsalted profile, Quark Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Morlacco Cheese the same as Quark Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Morlacco Cheese is typically aged 20 days to 3 months, Quark Cheese fresh, nonaged.
Is Morlacco Cheese similar to Quark Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Morlacco Cheese for Quark Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Morlacco Cheese taste like Quark Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Morlacco Cheese made of?
Morlacco Cheese is made from cow milk (skimmed or whole). It's typically aged 20 days to 3 months. It originates in Italy.
What is Quark Cheese made of?
Quark Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using traditionally none, commercial: very small amount of rennet. It's typically aged fresh, nonaged.
Which should I choose, Morlacco Cheese or Quark Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Morlacco Cheese is soft, artisan, while Quark Cheese is soft, nonaged, unsalted.