Pule Cheese vs Sap Sago Cheese
Pule Cheese is a artisan cheese from Serbia, while Sap Sago Cheese is hard and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.
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 Sap Sago Cheese?
Sap Sago is a hard, skimmed-milk cheese from the Canton of Glarus in Switzerland, seasoned and tinted green with blue fenugreek. It is grated as a seasoning rather than eaten in slices, and its 1463 origin stamp makes it the oldest branded product in the country.
What's the Difference Between Pule Cheese and Sap Sago Cheese?
- Origin: Pule Cheese (Serbia), Sap Sago Cheese (Switzerland)
- Milk type: Pule Cheese (donkey's milk), Sap Sago Cheese (cow's milk)
- Texture: Pule Cheese (artisan), Sap Sago Cheese (hard)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Pule Cheese | Sap Sago Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Serbia | Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | Zasavica | Canton Of Glarus |
| Milk Type | Donkey's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Skimmed |
| Texture | Artisan | Hard |
| Rind | — | Natural |
| Aging | — | 4 to 12 weeks fermentation, then 3 to 8 months in silos |
| Taste | Nutty and earthy | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Pule Cheese Taste Like Sap Sago Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Pule Cheese shows nutty and earthy, reputedly similar to manchego, while Sap Sago Cheese leans toward salt and blue fenugreek (schabzigerklee).
Can You Substitute Pule Cheese for Sap Sago Cheese?
Pule Cheese can stand in for Sap Sago 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 hard.
Which Is Better, Pule Cheese or Sap Sago 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 hard profile, Sap Sago Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pule Cheese the same as Sap Sago Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Pule Cheese originates in Serbia, while Sap Sago Cheese comes from Switzerland.
Is Pule Cheese similar to Sap Sago Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Pule Cheese for Sap Sago Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Pule Cheese taste like Sap Sago Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Pule Cheese made of?
Pule Cheese is made from milk. It originates in Serbia.
What is Sap Sago Cheese made of?
Sap Sago Cheese is made from cow milk (skimmed), using none, acid-coagulated rennet. It's typically aged 4 to 12 weeks fermentation, then 3 to 8 months in silos. It originates in Switzerland.
Which should I choose, Pule Cheese or Sap Sago Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Pule Cheese is artisan, while Sap Sago Cheese is hard.