Quark Cheese vs Selles-sur-Cher Cheese

Q: Is Quark Cheese the same as Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

No. Quark Cheese and Selles-sur-Cher Cheese are distinct cheeses. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Quark Cheese for Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Quark Cheese for Selles-sur-Cher Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Which should I choose, Quark Cheese or Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Quark Cheese

Selles-sur-Cher Cheese

Quark Cheese is a soft, nonaged, unsalted cow-milk cheese, while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese is fine and firm and made from goat milk, originating in France.

What Is Quark Cheese?

Quark is a fresh acid-set cheese made by souring milk with lactic acid bacteria and straining the curd. Soft, white, unaged and usually unsalted, it anchors German, Austrian and Slavic cooking, where the drier version goes by tvorog.

What Is Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

Selles-sur-Cher is a goat milk cheese from Centre-Val de Loire, France, first made in the 19th century in the commune it is named for. It comes as a small charcoal-dusted cylinder of about 150 g, known for its grey-blue mould rind and lightly salty paste.

What's the Difference Between Quark Cheese and Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

Milk type: Quark Cheese (cow's milk), Selles-sur-Cher Cheese (Whole goat’s milk)
Milk treatment: Quark Cheese (pasteurized), Selles-sur-Cher Cheese (unpasteurized)
Texture: Quark Cheese (Soft, nonaged, unsalted), Selles-sur-Cher Cheese (Fine and firm)
Rind: Quark Cheese (None), Selles-sur-Cher Cheese (Ash-coated, light to dark ash)
Aging: Quark Cheese (Fresh, nonaged), Selles-sur-Cher Cheese (Ten days minimum)
Taste: Quark Cheese (Mild, slightly milky), Selles-sur-Cher Cheese (Fresh, hazelnut)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Quark Cheese	Selles-sur-Cher Cheese
Country of Origin	—	France
Specific Origin	Widespread In German-Speaking And Slavic Countries, As Well As Northern Europe	Sologne, North-Central France
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Whole goat’s milk
Milk Treatment	Pasteurized	Unpasteurized
Texture	Soft, nonaged, unsalted	Fine and firm
Rind	None	Ash-coated, light to dark ash
Aging	Fresh, nonaged	Ten days minimum
Taste	Mild, slightly milky	Fresh, hazelnut

Taste Comparison: Does Quark Cheese Taste Like Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

Quark Cheese reads as mild, slightly milky, while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese brings fresh, hazelnut character. On the nose, Quark Cheese offers mild, akin to yogurt, contrasted with Selles-sur-Cher Cheese's fresh goat, mushroom hints. More specifically, Quark Cheese shows used in german-style cheesecake, sweet and savory dishes, while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese leans toward chalky-white, homogenous, highlighted by rind. Aging plays into this as well. Quark Cheese at fresh, nonaged develops a different profile than Selles-sur-Cher Cheese at ten days minimum.

Can You Substitute Quark Cheese for Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

Quark Cheese can stand in for Selles-sur-Cher Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, nonaged, unsalted bite and body where the recipe calls for fine and firm. Flavor-wise, Quark Cheese reads as mild, slightly milky while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese brings fresh, hazelnut notes.

Which Is Better, Quark Cheese or Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, nonaged, unsalted cheese, go with Quark Cheese. For a fine and firm profile, Selles-sur-Cher Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Quark Cheese suits recipes that want mild, slightly milky notes, while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese fits dishes calling for fresh, hazelnut.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Quark Cheese the same as Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Quark Cheese is made from cow milk; Selles-sur-Cher Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Quark Cheese is typically aged fresh, nonaged, Selles-sur-Cher Cheese ten days minimum.

Is Quark Cheese similar to Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Quark Cheese for Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

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

Does Quark Cheese taste like Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

Quark Cheese reads as mild, slightly milky, while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese is fresh, hazelnut. Aromas also diverge. Quark Cheese leans mild, akin to yogurt, and Selles-sur-Cher Cheese is closer to fresh goat, mushroom hints.

What is Quark Cheese made of?

Quark Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using traditionally none, commercial: very small amount of rennet. It's typically aged fresh, nonaged.

What is Selles-sur-Cher Cheese made of?

Selles-sur-Cher Cheese is made from goat milk (unpasteurized), using small amount rennet. It's typically aged ten days minimum. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Quark Cheese or Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Quark Cheese is soft, nonaged, unsalted, while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese is fine and firm.