Quark Cheese vs Tulum Cheese

Q: Is Quark Cheese the same as Tulum Cheese?

No. Quark Cheese and Tulum 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 Tulum Cheese?

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

Q: Does Quark Cheese taste like Tulum Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. See the side-by-side table above for details.

Q: Which should I choose, Quark Cheese or Tulum 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

Tulum Cheese

Quark Cheese is a soft, nonaged, unsalted cow-milk cheese, while Tulum Cheese is a goat-milk cheese, originating in Turkey.

Buy Quark Cheese

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Buy Tulum Cheese

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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 Tulum Cheese?

Tulum is a Turkish goat's milk cheese ripened inside a goatskin casing, which is what the word tulum means in Turkish. It is made in several regions, and versions from Erzincan, İzmir, Divle, Çimi and Kargı each taste different.

What's the Difference Between Quark Cheese and Tulum Cheese?

Milk type: Quark Cheese (cow's milk), Tulum Cheese (goat)
Milk treatment: Quark Cheese (pasteurized), Tulum Cheese (raw)
Aging: Quark Cheese (Fresh, nonaged), Tulum Cheese (about 6 months)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Quark Cheese	Tulum Cheese
Country of Origin	—	Turkey
Specific Origin	Widespread In German-Speaking And Slavic Countries, As Well As Northern Europe	Turkey
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Goat
Milk Treatment	Pasteurized	Raw
Texture	Soft, nonaged, unsalted	—
Rind	None	—
Aging	Fresh, nonaged	About 6 months
Taste	Mild, slightly milky	—

Taste Comparison: Does Quark Cheese Taste Like Tulum Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Quark Cheese at fresh, nonaged develops a different profile than Tulum Cheese at about 6 months.

Can You Substitute Quark Cheese for Tulum Cheese?

Quark Cheese can stand in for Tulum Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.

Which Is Better, Quark Cheese or Tulum Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want.

Which is your favorite?

One click, anonymous. See what others chose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Quark Cheese the same as Tulum Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Quark Cheese is made from cow milk; Tulum Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Quark Cheese is typically aged fresh, nonaged, Tulum Cheese about 6 months.

Is Quark Cheese similar to Tulum Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Quark Cheese for Tulum Cheese?

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

Does Quark Cheese taste like Tulum Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.

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 Tulum Cheese made of?

Tulum Cheese is made from goat milk (raw). It's typically aged about 6 months. It originates in Turkey.

Which should I choose, Quark Cheese or Tulum Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.