Parmesan Cheese vs Roumy Cheese
Parmesan Cheese
Roumy Cheese
Parmesan Cheese is a hard cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Roumy Cheese is hard and made from cow or buffalo milk, originating in Egypt.
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What Is Parmesan Cheese?
Parmesan, or Parmigiano Reggiano, is a hard granular cow's milk cheese from northern Italy, aged at least 12 months. It is known for its sharp, salty, savory taste, which comes from an unusually high level of glutamate.
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 Parmesan Cheese and Roumy Cheese?
- Origin: Parmesan Cheese (Italy), Roumy Cheese (Egypt)
- Milk type: Parmesan Cheese (Cow's milk), Roumy Cheese (Cow's or water buffalo's milk)
- Aging: Parmesan Cheese (minimum 12 months, average 2 years), Roumy Cheese (3 to 4 months)
- Taste: Parmesan Cheese (salty, savory), Roumy Cheese (salty, sharp, strong)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Parmesan Cheese | Roumy Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Egypt |
| Specific Origin | Parma And Reggio Emilia, Emilia-Romagna, Italy | Egypt |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's or water buffalo's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | — |
| Texture | Hard | Hard |
| Rind | Natural | Natural |
| Aging | Minimum 12 months, average 2 years | 3 to 4 months |
| Taste | Salty, savory | Salty, sharp, strong |
Taste Comparison: Does Parmesan Cheese Taste Like Roumy Cheese?
Parmesan Cheese reads as salty, savory, while Roumy Cheese brings salty, sharp, strong character. On the nose, Parmesan Cheese offers nutty, strong, contrasted with Roumy Cheese's pungent. Aging plays into this as well. Parmesan Cheese at minimum 12 months, average 2 years develops a different profile than Roumy Cheese at 3 to 4 months.
Can You Substitute Parmesan Cheese for Roumy Cheese?
Parmesan Cheese can stand in for Roumy Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Flavor-wise, Parmesan Cheese reads as salty, savory while Roumy Cheese brings salty, sharp, strong notes.
Which Is Better, Parmesan Cheese or Roumy Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. Flavor-wise, Parmesan Cheese suits recipes that want salty, savory notes, while Roumy Cheese fits dishes calling for salty, sharp, strong.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Parmesan Cheese the same as Roumy Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Parmesan Cheese originates in Italy, while Roumy Cheese comes from Egypt. Parmesan Cheese is made from cow milk; Roumy Cheese uses cow or buffalo. Aging also differs: Parmesan Cheese is typically aged minimum 12 months, average 2 years, Roumy Cheese 3 to 4 months.
Is Parmesan Cheese similar to Roumy Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Parmesan Cheese for Roumy Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Parmesan Cheese taste like Roumy Cheese?
Parmesan Cheese reads as salty, savory, while Roumy Cheese is salty, sharp, strong. Aromas also diverge. Parmesan Cheese leans nutty, strong, and Roumy Cheese is closer to pungent.
What is Parmesan Cheese made of?
Parmesan Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using animal (calf rennet) rennet. It's typically aged minimum 12 months, average 2 years. It originates in Italy.
What is Roumy Cheese made of?
Roumy Cheese is made from cow or buffalo milk. It's typically aged 3 to 4 months. It originates in Egypt.
Which should I choose, Parmesan Cheese or Roumy Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.