Roumy Cheese vs Taleggio Cheese
Roumy Cheese is a hard cow and buffalo-milk cheese from Egypt, while Taleggio Cheese is soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center 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 Taleggio Cheese?
Taleggio is a semisoft Italian cheese with a washed, smear-ripened rind and a strong smell. The taste is milder than the aroma suggests, creamy and pale yellow inside, with an unusual fruity tang.
What's the Difference Between Roumy Cheese and Taleggio Cheese?
- Origin: Roumy Cheese (Egypt), Taleggio Cheese (Italy)
- Milk type: Roumy Cheese (cow's and water buffalo's milk), Taleggio Cheese (cow's milk)
- Texture: Roumy Cheese (hard), Taleggio Cheese (Soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center)
- Rind: Roumy Cheese (natural), Taleggio Cheese (Soft, thin, pinkish-red)
- Aging: Roumy Cheese (3 to 4 months), Taleggio Cheese (At least 35 (up to 50) days)
- Taste: Roumy Cheese (salty, sharp, strong), Taleggio Cheese (Sweet, delicate, slightly sour)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Roumy Cheese | Taleggio Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Egypt | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Egypt | Val Taleggio, Po Valley |
| Milk Type | Cow's and water buffalo's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Heated to 90–95°F |
| Texture | Hard | Soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center |
| Rind | Natural | Soft, thin, pinkish-red |
| Aging | 3 to 4 months | At least 35 (up to 50) days |
| Taste | Salty, sharp, strong | Sweet, delicate, slightly sour |
Taste Comparison: Does Roumy Cheese Taste Like Taleggio Cheese?
Roumy Cheese reads as salty, sharp, strong, while Taleggio Cheese brings sweet, delicate, slightly sour character. On the nose, Roumy Cheese offers pungent, contrasted with Taleggio Cheese's herbaceous, aromatic. Aging plays into this as well. Roumy Cheese at 3 to 4 months develops a different profile than Taleggio Cheese at at least 35 (up to 50) days.
Can You Substitute Roumy Cheese for Taleggio Cheese?
Roumy Cheese can stand in for Taleggio 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, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center. Flavor-wise, Roumy Cheese reads as salty, sharp, strong while Taleggio Cheese brings sweet, delicate, slightly sour notes.
Which Is Better, Roumy Cheese or Taleggio 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, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center profile, Taleggio Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Roumy Cheese suits recipes that want salty, sharp, strong notes, while Taleggio Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet, delicate, slightly sour.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Roumy Cheese the same as Taleggio Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Roumy Cheese originates in Egypt, while Taleggio Cheese comes from Italy. Roumy Cheese is made from cow and buffalo milk; Taleggio Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Roumy Cheese is typically aged 3 to 4 months, Taleggio Cheese at least 35 (up to 50) days.
Is Roumy Cheese similar to Taleggio Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Roumy Cheese for Taleggio Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Roumy Cheese taste like Taleggio Cheese?
Roumy Cheese reads as salty, sharp, strong, while Taleggio Cheese is sweet, delicate, slightly sour. Aromas also diverge. Roumy Cheese leans pungent, and Taleggio Cheese is closer to herbaceous, aromatic.
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 Taleggio Cheese made of?
Taleggio Cheese is made from cow milk (heated to 90–95°f), using calf rennet. It's typically aged at least 35 (up to 50) days. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Roumy Cheese or Taleggio Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Roumy Cheese is hard, while Taleggio Cheese is soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center.