Pule Cheese vs Saint-Nectaire Cheese
Pule Cheese is a artisan cheese from Serbia, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese is soft and tender and made from cow milk, originating in France.
What Is Pule Cheese?
Pule, or magareći sir, is a Serbian cheese made from 60% Balkan donkey milk and 40% goat's milk at the Zasavica Nature Reserve. It is reported to be the world's most expensive cheese at US$1300 per kilogram.
What Is Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
Saint-Nectaire is a pressed cow's milk cheese from the volcanic hills around the Monts-Dore in Auvergne, France. It ages on rye straw for at least 28 days and is known for its soft, creamy paste and hint of hazelnut.
What's the Difference Between Pule Cheese and Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
- Origin: Pule Cheese (Serbia), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (France)
- Milk type: Pule Cheese (donkey's milk), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Cow’s milk (Holstein, Montbéliarde, sometimes Salers))
- Texture: Pule Cheese (artisan), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Soft and tender)
- Taste: Pule Cheese (nutty and earthy), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Delicate hazelnut)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Pule Cheese | Saint-Nectaire Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Serbia | France |
| Specific Origin | Zasavica | Massif Du Sancy, Auvergne |
| Milk Type | Donkey's milk | Cow’s milk (Holstein, Montbéliarde, sometimes Salers) |
| Milk Treatment | — | Raw for fermier, pasteurized for laitier |
| Texture | Artisan | Soft and tender |
| Rind | — | Washed-rind |
| Aging | — | At least twenty-eight days |
| Taste | Nutty and earthy | Delicate hazelnut |
Taste Comparison: Does Pule Cheese Taste Like Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
Pule Cheese reads as nutty and earthy, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese brings delicate hazelnut character. More specifically, Pule Cheese shows nutty and earthy, reputedly similar to manchego, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese leans toward nutty.
Can You Substitute Pule Cheese for Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
Pule Cheese can stand in for Saint-Nectaire Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect artisan bite and body where the recipe calls for soft and tender. Flavor-wise, Pule Cheese reads as nutty and earthy while Saint-Nectaire Cheese brings delicate hazelnut notes.
Which Is Better, Pule Cheese or Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a artisan cheese, go with Pule Cheese. For a soft and tender profile, Saint-Nectaire Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Pule Cheese suits recipes that want nutty and earthy notes, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese fits dishes calling for delicate hazelnut.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pule Cheese the same as Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Pule Cheese originates in Serbia, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese comes from France.
Is Pule Cheese similar to Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Pule Cheese for Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Pule Cheese taste like Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
Pule Cheese reads as nutty and earthy, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese is delicate hazelnut.
What is Pule Cheese made of?
Pule Cheese is made from milk. It originates in Serbia.
What is Saint-Nectaire Cheese made of?
Saint-Nectaire Cheese is made from cow milk (raw for fermier, pasteurized for laitier). It's typically aged at least twenty-eight days. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Pule Cheese or Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Pule Cheese is artisan, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese is soft and tender.