Naboulsi Cheese vs Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese
Naboulsi Cheese
Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese
Naboulsi Cheese is a semi-hard, brined goat or sheep-milk cheese from Middle East and Palestine, while Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is semi-soft and made from goat milk, originating in France.
Buy Naboulsi Cheese
Buy Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese
What Is Naboulsi Cheese?
Nabulsi is a Palestinian white brined cheese named for Nablus, made mostly from sheep's milk and flavored with mahleb and mastic in the brine. It comes in white rectangular blocks that turn soft and stretchy when heated, which is why it fills knafeh.
What Is Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Sainte-Maure de Touraine is an unpasteurized goat cheese from the Touraine province of France, sold as a small ash-rolled log with a straw running through its centre. The straw carries the AOC seal and a number identifying the producer.
What's the Difference Between Naboulsi Cheese and Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
- Origin: Naboulsi Cheese (Middle East and Palestine), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (France)
- Milk type: Naboulsi Cheese (goat's or sheep's milk), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (goat’s milk)
- Milk treatment: Naboulsi Cheese (pasteurized), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Raw)
- Texture: Naboulsi Cheese (semi-hard, brined), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (semi-soft)
- Rind: Naboulsi Cheese (natural), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Gray-blue)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Naboulsi Cheese | Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Middle East And Palestine | France |
| Specific Origin | Nablus, Palestine | Indre-Et-Loire And Bordering Cantons |
| Milk Type | Goat's or sheep's milk | Goat’s milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Semi-hard, brined | Semi-soft |
| Rind | Natural | Gray-blue |
| Aging | — | Minimum of ten days |
| Taste | Salty | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Naboulsi Cheese Taste Like Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Naboulsi Cheese for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Naboulsi Cheese can stand in for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semi-hard, brined bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft.
Which Is Better, Naboulsi Cheese or Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-hard, brined cheese, go with Naboulsi Cheese. For a semi-soft profile, Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Naboulsi Cheese the same as Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Naboulsi Cheese originates in Middle East and Palestine, while Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese comes from France. Naboulsi Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk; Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese uses goat.
Is Naboulsi Cheese similar to Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Naboulsi Cheese for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Naboulsi Cheese taste like Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Naboulsi Cheese made of?
Naboulsi Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk (pasteurized). It originates in Middle East and Palestine.
What is Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese made of?
Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is made from goat milk (raw). It's typically aged minimum of ten days. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Naboulsi Cheese or Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Naboulsi Cheese is semi-hard, brined, while Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is semi-soft.