Roumy Cheese vs Scamorza Cheese
Roumy Cheese is a hard cow and buffalo-milk cheese from Egypt, while Scamorza Cheese is semi-soft and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
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 Scamorza Cheese?
Scamorza is a southern Italian pasta filata cheese, usually made from cow's milk. It is tied with string and hung to dry into a pear-like shape, sold unsmoked or smoked, and works as a substitute for mozzarella in most dishes.
What's the Difference Between Roumy Cheese and Scamorza Cheese?
- Origin: Roumy Cheese (Egypt), Scamorza Cheese (Italy)
- Milk type: Roumy Cheese (cow's and water buffalo's milk), Scamorza Cheese (cow's milk)
- Texture: Roumy Cheese (hard), Scamorza Cheese (semi-soft)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Roumy Cheese | Scamorza Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Egypt | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Egypt | Apulia And Calabria, Southern Italy |
| Milk Type | Cow's and water buffalo's milk | Cow's milk |
| Texture | Hard | Semi-soft |
| Rind | Natural | Natural |
| Aging | 3 to 4 months | — |
| Taste | Salty, sharp, strong | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Roumy Cheese Taste Like Scamorza Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Roumy Cheese for Scamorza Cheese?
Roumy Cheese can stand in for Scamorza 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 semi-soft.
Which Is Better, Roumy Cheese or Scamorza 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 semi-soft profile, Scamorza Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Roumy Cheese the same as Scamorza Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Roumy Cheese originates in Egypt, while Scamorza Cheese comes from Italy. Roumy Cheese is made from cow and buffalo milk; Scamorza Cheese uses cow.
Is Roumy Cheese similar to Scamorza Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Roumy Cheese for Scamorza Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Roumy Cheese taste like Scamorza Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
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 Scamorza Cheese made of?
Scamorza Cheese is made from cow milk. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Roumy Cheese or Scamorza Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Roumy Cheese is hard, while Scamorza Cheese is semi-soft.