Naboulsi Cheese vs Urdă Cheese

Naboulsi Cheese is a semi-hard, brined goat or sheep-milk cheese from Middle East and Palestine, while Urdă Cheese is creamy, delicate and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk, originating in Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine.

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 Urdă Cheese?

Urdă is a whey cheese made across Southeast Europe and in Hungary by boiling the whey drained from other cheeses. The paste is finely grained and silky, and most of it ends up in desserts and filled pastries.

What's the Difference Between Naboulsi Cheese and Urdă Cheese?

• Origin: Naboulsi Cheese (Middle East and Palestine), Urdă Cheese (Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine)
• Milk type: Naboulsi Cheese (goat's or sheep's milk), Urdă Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk)
• Milk treatment: Naboulsi Cheese (pasteurized), Urdă Cheese (unpasteurized)
• Texture: Naboulsi Cheese (semi-hard, brined), Urdă Cheese (Creamy, delicate)
• Rind: Naboulsi Cheese (natural), Urdă Cheese (Yellowish)
• Taste: Naboulsi Cheese (salty), Urdă Cheese (High quality)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Naboulsi Cheese Taste Like Urdă Cheese?

Naboulsi Cheese reads as salty, while Urdă Cheese brings high quality character. On the nose, Naboulsi Cheese offers fresh, contrasted with Urdă Cheese's fresh.

Can You Substitute Naboulsi Cheese for Urdă Cheese?

Naboulsi Cheese can stand in for Urdă 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 creamy, delicate. Flavor-wise, Naboulsi Cheese reads as salty while Urdă Cheese brings high quality notes.

Which Is Better, Naboulsi Cheese or Urdă 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 creamy, delicate profile, Urdă Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Naboulsi Cheese suits recipes that want salty notes, while Urdă Cheese fits dishes calling for high quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Naboulsi Cheese the same as Urdă Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Naboulsi Cheese originates in Middle East and Palestine, while Urdă Cheese comes from Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine. Naboulsi Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk; Urdă Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep.

Is Naboulsi Cheese similar to Urdă Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Naboulsi Cheese for Urdă Cheese?

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

Does Naboulsi Cheese taste like Urdă Cheese?

Naboulsi Cheese reads as salty, while Urdă Cheese is high quality.

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 Urdă Cheese made of?

Urdă Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged up to 360 days. It originates in Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine.

Which should I choose, Naboulsi Cheese or Urdă Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Naboulsi Cheese is semi-hard, brined, while Urdă Cheese is creamy, delicate.