Ricotta Cheese vs Soft Cheese
Ricotta Cheese is a soft, moist cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo-milk cheese from Italy, while Soft Cheese is spreadable, smooth to runny and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk.
What Is Ricotta Cheese?
Ricotta is an Italian whey cheese made from the leftover whey of sheep, cow, goat, or water buffalo milk cheesemaking. The fresh curds are creamy white and slightly sweet, and they turn up in cannoli and cheesecakes as readily as in lasagne and ravioli.
What Is Soft Cheese?
Soft cheese is the moisture category at the wet end of the scale, holding 55 to 80 percent moisture against its dry weight. It covers soft-ripened cheeses like Brie and Camembert, some blue and pasta filata cheeses, and fresh cheeses, and it is known for being spreadable.
What's the Difference Between Ricotta Cheese and Soft Cheese?
- Milk type: Ricotta Cheese (cow's, goat's, sheep's or water buffalo's milk), Soft Cheese (cow, goat, sheep)
- Texture: Ricotta Cheese (Soft, moist), Soft Cheese (spreadable, smooth to runny)
- Rind: Ricotta Cheese (None), Soft Cheese (bloomy white mold rind, or washed)
- Aging: Ricotta Cheese (Fresh), Soft Cheese (unmatured to about 1 month)
- Taste: Ricotta Cheese (Sweet, slightly creamy), Soft Cheese (mild)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Ricotta Cheese | Soft Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | — |
| Specific Origin | Italy | — |
| Milk Type | Cow's, goat's, sheep's or water buffalo's milk | Cow, goat, sheep |
| Milk Treatment | Whey | — |
| Texture | Soft, moist | Spreadable, smooth to runny |
| Rind | None | Bloomy white mold rind, or washed |
| Aging | Fresh | Unmatured to about 1 month |
| Taste | Sweet, slightly creamy | Mild |
Taste Comparison: Does Ricotta Cheese Taste Like Soft Cheese?
Ricotta Cheese reads as sweet, slightly creamy, while Soft Cheese brings mild character. Aging plays into this as well. Ricotta Cheese at fresh develops a different profile than Soft Cheese at unmatured to about 1 month.
Can You Substitute Ricotta Cheese for Soft Cheese?
Ricotta Cheese can stand in for Soft Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, moist bite and body where the recipe calls for spreadable, smooth to runny. Flavor-wise, Ricotta Cheese reads as sweet, slightly creamy while Soft Cheese brings mild notes.
Which Is Better, Ricotta Cheese or Soft Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, moist cheese, go with Ricotta Cheese. For a spreadable, smooth to runny profile, Soft Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Ricotta Cheese suits recipes that want sweet, slightly creamy notes, while Soft Cheese fits dishes calling for mild.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ricotta Cheese the same as Soft Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Ricotta Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk; Soft Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep. Aging also differs: Ricotta Cheese is typically aged fresh, Soft Cheese unmatured to about 1 month.
Is Ricotta Cheese similar to Soft Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Ricotta Cheese for Soft Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Ricotta Cheese taste like Soft Cheese?
Ricotta Cheese reads as sweet, slightly creamy, while Soft Cheese is mild.
What is Ricotta Cheese made of?
Ricotta Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk (whey), using animal or microbial rennet. It's typically aged fresh. It originates in Italy.
What is Soft Cheese made of?
Soft Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk. It's typically aged unmatured to about 1 month.
Which should I choose, Ricotta Cheese or Soft Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Ricotta Cheese is soft, moist, while Soft Cheese is spreadable, smooth to runny.