Myzithra Cheese vs Roumy Cheese
Myzithra Cheese is a soft, whey goat or sheep-milk cheese from Greece, while Roumy Cheese is hard and made from cow and buffalo milk, originating in Egypt.
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 Is Roumy Cheese?
Rumi, also spelled Roumy, is the main hard cheese of Egypt, made from cow's or buffalo milk with no starter culture. Three to four months of aging give it an open texture, a pungent smell and a sharp flavor that gets saltier with age.
What's the Difference Between Myzithra Cheese and Roumy Cheese?
- Origin: Myzithra Cheese (Greece), Roumy Cheese (Egypt)
- Milk type: Myzithra Cheese (goat's or sheep's milk), Roumy Cheese (cow's and water buffalo's milk)
- Texture: Myzithra Cheese (soft, whey), Roumy Cheese (hard)
- Aging: Myzithra Cheese (a few days for the fresh form), Roumy Cheese (3 to 4 months)
- Taste: Myzithra Cheese (mild), Roumy Cheese (salty, sharp, strong)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Myzithra Cheese | Roumy Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Greece | Egypt |
| Specific Origin | Crete, Greece | Egypt |
| Milk Type | Goat's or sheep's milk | Cow's and water buffalo's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | — |
| Texture | Soft, whey | Hard |
| Rind | — | Natural |
| Aging | A few days for the fresh form | 3 to 4 months |
| Taste | Mild | Salty, sharp, strong |
Taste Comparison: Does Myzithra Cheese Taste Like Roumy Cheese?
Myzithra Cheese reads as mild, while Roumy Cheese brings salty, sharp, strong character. Aging plays into this as well. Myzithra Cheese at a few days for the fresh form develops a different profile than Roumy Cheese at 3 to 4 months.
Can You Substitute Myzithra Cheese for Roumy Cheese?
Myzithra Cheese can stand in for Roumy Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, whey bite and body where the recipe calls for hard. Flavor-wise, Myzithra Cheese reads as mild while Roumy Cheese brings salty, sharp, strong notes.
Which Is Better, Myzithra Cheese or Roumy Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, whey cheese, go with Myzithra Cheese. For a hard profile, Roumy Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Myzithra Cheese suits recipes that want mild notes, while Roumy Cheese fits dishes calling for salty, sharp, strong.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Myzithra Cheese the same as Roumy Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Myzithra Cheese originates in Greece, while Roumy Cheese comes from Egypt. Myzithra Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk; Roumy Cheese uses cow and buffalo. Aging also differs: Myzithra Cheese is typically aged a few days for the fresh form, Roumy Cheese 3 to 4 months.
Is Myzithra Cheese similar to Roumy Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Myzithra Cheese for Roumy Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Myzithra Cheese taste like Roumy Cheese?
Myzithra Cheese reads as mild, while Roumy Cheese is salty, sharp, strong.
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.
What is Roumy Cheese made of?
Roumy Cheese is made from cow and buffalo milk. It's typically aged 3 to 4 months. It originates in Egypt.
Which should I choose, Myzithra Cheese or Roumy Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Myzithra Cheese is soft, whey, while Roumy Cheese is hard.