Roumy Cheese vs Saint-Nectaire Cheese
Roumy Cheese is a hard cow and buffalo-milk cheese from Egypt, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese is soft and tender and made from cow milk, originating in France.
What Is Roumy Cheese?
Rumi, also spelled Roumy, is the main hard cheese of Egypt, made from cow's or buffalo milk with no starter culture. Three to four months of aging give it an open texture, a pungent smell and a sharp flavor that gets saltier with age.
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 Roumy Cheese and Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
- Origin: Roumy Cheese (Egypt), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (France)
- Milk type: Roumy Cheese (cow's and water buffalo's milk), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Cow’s milk (Holstein, Montbéliarde, sometimes Salers))
- Texture: Roumy Cheese (hard), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Soft and tender)
- Rind: Roumy Cheese (natural), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Washed-rind)
- Aging: Roumy Cheese (3 to 4 months), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (At least twenty-eight days)
- Taste: Roumy Cheese (salty, sharp, strong), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Delicate hazelnut)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Roumy Cheese | Saint-Nectaire Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Egypt | France |
| Specific Origin | Egypt | Massif Du Sancy, Auvergne |
| Milk Type | Cow's and water buffalo's milk | Cow’s milk (Holstein, Montbéliarde, sometimes Salers) |
| Milk Treatment | — | Raw for fermier, pasteurized for laitier |
| Texture | Hard | Soft and tender |
| Rind | Natural | Washed-rind |
| Aging | 3 to 4 months | At least twenty-eight days |
| Taste | Salty, sharp, strong | Delicate hazelnut |
Taste Comparison: Does Roumy Cheese Taste Like Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
Roumy Cheese reads as salty, sharp, strong, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese brings delicate hazelnut character. On the nose, Roumy Cheese offers pungent, contrasted with Saint-Nectaire Cheese's grassy. Aging plays into this as well. Roumy Cheese at 3 to 4 months develops a different profile than Saint-Nectaire Cheese at at least twenty-eight days.
Can You Substitute Roumy Cheese for Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
Roumy Cheese can stand in for Saint-Nectaire Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect hard bite and body where the recipe calls for soft and tender. Flavor-wise, Roumy Cheese reads as salty, sharp, strong while Saint-Nectaire Cheese brings delicate hazelnut notes.
Which Is Better, Roumy Cheese or Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard cheese, go with Roumy Cheese. For a soft and tender profile, Saint-Nectaire Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Roumy Cheese suits recipes that want salty, sharp, strong notes, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese fits dishes calling for delicate hazelnut.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Roumy Cheese the same as Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Roumy Cheese originates in Egypt, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese comes from France. Roumy Cheese is made from cow and buffalo milk; Saint-Nectaire Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Roumy Cheese is typically aged 3 to 4 months, Saint-Nectaire Cheese at least twenty-eight days.
Is Roumy Cheese similar to Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Roumy Cheese for Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Roumy Cheese taste like Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
Roumy Cheese reads as salty, sharp, strong, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese is delicate hazelnut. Aromas also diverge. Roumy Cheese leans pungent, and Saint-Nectaire Cheese is closer to grassy.
What is Roumy Cheese made of?
Roumy Cheese is made from cow and buffalo milk. It's typically aged 3 to 4 months. It originates in Egypt.
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, Roumy Cheese or Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Roumy Cheese is hard, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese is soft and tender.