Roumy Cheese vs San Michali Cheese
Roumy Cheese is a hard cow and buffalo-milk cheese from Egypt, while San Michali Cheese is compact, with very small irregular holes and made from cow milk, originating in Greece.
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 San Michali Cheese?
San Michali is a hard cow's milk cheese from the Greek island of Syros, aged at least four months. It carries PDO status, tastes salty and piquant, and is one of the most expensive cheeses in Greece.
What's the Difference Between Roumy Cheese and San Michali Cheese?
- Origin: Roumy Cheese (Egypt), San Michali Cheese (Greece)
- Milk type: Roumy Cheese (cow's and water buffalo's milk), San Michali Cheese (Cow’s milk)
- Texture: Roumy Cheese (hard), San Michali Cheese (Compact, with very small irregular holes)
- Rind: Roumy Cheese (natural), San Michali Cheese (Often covered with paraffin)
- Aging: Roumy Cheese (3 to 4 months), San Michali Cheese (At least four months)
- Taste: Roumy Cheese (salty, sharp, strong), San Michali Cheese (Salty, peppery)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Roumy Cheese | San Michali Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Egypt | Greece |
| Specific Origin | Egypt | Island Of Syros |
| Milk Type | Cow's and water buffalo's milk | Cow’s milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Hard | Compact, with very small irregular holes |
| Rind | Natural | Often covered with paraffin |
| Aging | 3 to 4 months | At least four months |
| Taste | Salty, sharp, strong | Salty, peppery |
Taste Comparison: Does Roumy Cheese Taste Like San Michali Cheese?
Roumy Cheese reads as salty, sharp, strong, while San Michali Cheese brings salty, peppery character. Aging plays into this as well. Roumy Cheese at 3 to 4 months develops a different profile than San Michali Cheese at at least four months.
Can You Substitute Roumy Cheese for San Michali Cheese?
Roumy Cheese can stand in for San Michali 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 compact, with very small irregular holes. Flavor-wise, Roumy Cheese reads as salty, sharp, strong while San Michali Cheese brings salty, peppery notes.
Which Is Better, Roumy Cheese or San Michali 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 compact, with very small irregular holes profile, San Michali Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Roumy Cheese suits recipes that want salty, sharp, strong notes, while San Michali Cheese fits dishes calling for salty, peppery.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Roumy Cheese the same as San Michali Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Roumy Cheese originates in Egypt, while San Michali Cheese comes from Greece. Roumy Cheese is made from cow and buffalo milk; San Michali Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Roumy Cheese is typically aged 3 to 4 months, San Michali Cheese at least four months.
Is Roumy Cheese similar to San Michali Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Roumy Cheese for San Michali Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Roumy Cheese taste like San Michali Cheese?
Roumy Cheese reads as salty, sharp, strong, while San Michali Cheese is salty, peppery.
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 San Michali Cheese made of?
San Michali Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged at least four months. It originates in Greece.
Which should I choose, Roumy Cheese or San Michali Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Roumy Cheese is hard, while San Michali Cheese is compact, with very small irregular holes.