Roumy Cheese vs Urdă Cheese

Roumy Cheese is a hard cow and buffalo-milk cheese from Egypt, while Urdă Cheese is creamy, delicate and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk, originating in Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine.

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 Urdă Cheese?

Urdă is a whey cheese made across Southeast Europe and in Hungary by boiling the whey drained from other cheeses. The paste is finely grained and silky, and most of it ends up in desserts and filled pastries.

What's the Difference Between Roumy Cheese and Urdă Cheese?

• Origin: Roumy Cheese (Egypt), Urdă Cheese (Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine)
• Milk type: Roumy Cheese (cow's and water buffalo's milk), Urdă Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk)
• Texture: Roumy Cheese (hard), Urdă Cheese (Creamy, delicate)
• Rind: Roumy Cheese (natural), Urdă Cheese (Yellowish)
• Aging: Roumy Cheese (3 to 4 months), Urdă Cheese (Up to 360 days)
• Taste: Roumy Cheese (salty, sharp, strong), Urdă Cheese (High quality)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Roumy Cheese Taste Like Urdă Cheese?

Roumy Cheese reads as salty, sharp, strong, while Urdă Cheese brings high quality character. On the nose, Roumy Cheese offers pungent, contrasted with Urdă Cheese's fresh. Aging plays into this as well. Roumy Cheese at 3 to 4 months develops a different profile than Urdă Cheese at up to 360 days.

Can You Substitute Roumy Cheese for Urdă Cheese?

Roumy Cheese can stand in for Urdă 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 creamy, delicate. Flavor-wise, Roumy Cheese reads as salty, sharp, strong while Urdă Cheese brings high quality notes.

Which Is Better, Roumy Cheese or Urdă 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 creamy, delicate profile, Urdă Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Roumy Cheese suits recipes that want salty, sharp, strong notes, while Urdă Cheese fits dishes calling for high quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Roumy Cheese the same as Urdă Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Roumy Cheese originates in Egypt, while Urdă Cheese comes from Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine. Roumy Cheese is made from cow and buffalo milk; Urdă Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep. Aging also differs: Roumy Cheese is typically aged 3 to 4 months, Urdă Cheese up to 360 days.

Is Roumy Cheese similar to Urdă Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Roumy Cheese for Urdă Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Roumy Cheese taste like Urdă Cheese?

Roumy Cheese reads as salty, sharp, strong, while Urdă Cheese is high quality. Aromas also diverge. Roumy Cheese leans pungent, and Urdă Cheese is closer to fresh.

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 Urdă Cheese made of?

Urdă Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged up to 360 days. It originates in Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine.

Which should I choose, Roumy Cheese or Urdă Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Roumy Cheese is hard, while Urdă Cheese is creamy, delicate.