Roumy Cheese vs Queijo São Jorge
Roumy Cheese is a hard cow and buffalo-milk cheese from Egypt, while Queijo São Jorge is firm consistency, hard or semi-hard and made from cow milk, originating in Portugal.
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 Queijo São Jorge?
Queijo São Jorge is a semi-hard to hard cow's milk cheese made only on the island of São Jorge in the Azores. It is known for its firm, brittle yellowish paste, small irregular holes, and a strong, slightly spicy flavor that sharpens with age.
What's the Difference Between Roumy Cheese and Queijo São Jorge?
- Origin: Roumy Cheese (Egypt), Queijo São Jorge (Portugal)
- Milk type: Roumy Cheese (cow's and water buffalo's milk), Queijo São Jorge (Cow)
- Texture: Roumy Cheese (hard), Queijo São Jorge (Firm consistency, hard or semi-hard)
- Rind: Roumy Cheese (natural), Queijo São Jorge (Natural)
- Aging: Roumy Cheese (3 to 4 months), Queijo São Jorge (minimum three months, up to 36 months for special editions)
- Taste: Roumy Cheese (salty, sharp, strong), Queijo São Jorge (Peppery, grassy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Roumy Cheese | Queijo São Jorge | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Egypt | Portugal |
| Specific Origin | Egypt | Island Of São Jorge, Azores |
| Milk Type | Cow's and water buffalo's milk | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | — | Raw |
| Texture | Hard | Firm consistency, hard or semi-hard |
| Rind | Natural | Natural |
| Aging | 3 to 4 months | Minimum three months, up to 36 months for special editions |
| Taste | Salty, sharp, strong | Peppery, grassy |
Taste Comparison: Does Roumy Cheese Taste Like Queijo São Jorge?
Roumy Cheese reads as salty, sharp, strong, while Queijo São Jorge brings peppery, grassy character. On the nose, Roumy Cheese offers pungent, contrasted with Queijo São Jorge's peppery, grassy. Aging plays into this as well. Roumy Cheese at 3 to 4 months develops a different profile than Queijo São Jorge at minimum three months, up to 36 months for special editions.
Can You Substitute Roumy Cheese for Queijo São Jorge?
Roumy Cheese can stand in for Queijo São Jorge in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect hard bite and body where the recipe calls for firm consistency, hard or semi-hard. Flavor-wise, Roumy Cheese reads as salty, sharp, strong while Queijo São Jorge brings peppery, grassy notes.
Which Is Better, Roumy Cheese or Queijo São Jorge?
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 firm consistency, hard or semi-hard profile, Queijo São Jorge is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Roumy Cheese suits recipes that want salty, sharp, strong notes, while Queijo São Jorge fits dishes calling for peppery, grassy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Roumy Cheese the same as Queijo São Jorge?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Roumy Cheese originates in Egypt, while Queijo São Jorge comes from Portugal. Roumy Cheese is made from cow and buffalo milk; Queijo São Jorge uses cow. Aging also differs: Roumy Cheese is typically aged 3 to 4 months, Queijo São Jorge minimum three months, up to 36 months for special editions.
Is Roumy Cheese similar to Queijo São Jorge?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Roumy Cheese for Queijo São Jorge?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Roumy Cheese taste like Queijo São Jorge?
Roumy Cheese reads as salty, sharp, strong, while Queijo São Jorge is peppery, grassy. Aromas also diverge. Roumy Cheese leans pungent, and Queijo São Jorge is closer to peppery, 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 Queijo São Jorge made of?
Queijo São Jorge is made from cow milk (raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged minimum three months, up to 36 months for special editions. It originates in Portugal.
Which should I choose, Roumy Cheese or Queijo São Jorge?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Roumy Cheese is hard, while Queijo São Jorge is firm consistency, hard or semi-hard.