Parmesan Cheese vs Urdă Cheese

Parmesan Cheese is a hard cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Urdă Cheese is fresh, creamy and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk, originating in Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine.

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 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 Parmesan Cheese and Urdă Cheese?

• Origin: Parmesan Cheese (Italy), Urdă Cheese (Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine)
• Milk type: Parmesan Cheese (Cow's milk), Urdă Cheese (Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk)
• Texture: Parmesan Cheese (Hard), Urdă Cheese (Fresh, creamy)
• Rind: Parmesan Cheese (natural), Urdă Cheese (Yellowish)
• Aging: Parmesan Cheese (minimum 12 months, average 2 years), Urdă Cheese (Up to 360 days)
• Taste: Parmesan Cheese (salty, savory), Urdă Cheese (High quality)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Parmesan Cheese Taste Like Urdă Cheese?

Parmesan Cheese reads as salty, savory, while Urdă Cheese brings high quality character. On the nose, Parmesan Cheese offers nutty, strong, contrasted with Urdă Cheese's fresh. More specifically, Parmesan Cheese shows sharp, salty, savory, strong umami, while Urdă Cheese leans toward creamier and superior sensory qualities compared to mizithra. Aging plays into this as well. Parmesan Cheese at minimum 12 months, average 2 years develops a different profile than Urdă Cheese at up to 360 days.

Can You Substitute Parmesan Cheese for Urdă Cheese?

Parmesan Cheese can stand in for Urdă Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect hard bite and body where the recipe calls for fresh, creamy. Flavor-wise, Parmesan Cheese reads as salty, savory while Urdă Cheese brings high quality notes.

Which Is Better, Parmesan Cheese or Urdă Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard cheese, go with Parmesan Cheese. For a fresh, creamy profile, Urdă Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Parmesan Cheese suits recipes that want salty, savory notes, while Urdă Cheese fits dishes calling for high quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Parmesan Cheese the same as Urdă Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Parmesan Cheese originates in Italy, while Urdă Cheese comes from Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine. Parmesan Cheese is made from cow milk; Urdă Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep. Aging also differs: Parmesan Cheese is typically aged minimum 12 months, average 2 years, Urdă Cheese up to 360 days.

Is Parmesan Cheese similar to Urdă Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Parmesan Cheese for Urdă Cheese?

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

Does Parmesan Cheese taste like Urdă Cheese?

Parmesan Cheese reads as salty, savory, while Urdă Cheese is high quality. Aromas also diverge. Parmesan Cheese leans nutty, strong, and Urdă Cheese is closer to fresh.

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 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, Parmesan Cheese or Urdă Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Parmesan Cheese is hard, while Urdă Cheese is fresh, creamy.