Roumy Cheese vs West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese
Roumy Cheese is a hard cow and buffalo-milk cheese from Egypt, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is firm and made from cow milk.
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 West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
West Country Farmhouse Cheddar is a firm cow's milk cheese made by traditional methods in Somerset, Devon, Dorset and Cornwall. Its name has been protected in the EU and UK since 2007, and only milk from those four counties may be used.
What's the Difference Between Roumy Cheese and West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
- Milk type: Roumy Cheese (cow's and water buffalo's milk), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Cow)
- Texture: Roumy Cheese (hard), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Firm)
- Rind: Roumy Cheese (natural), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (cloth-wrapped)
- Aging: Roumy Cheese (3 to 4 months), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Minimum 9 months)
- Taste: Roumy Cheese (salty, sharp, strong), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Roumy Cheese | West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Egypt | — |
| Specific Origin | Egypt | Dorset, Somerset, Devon And Cornwall |
| Milk Type | Cow's and water buffalo's milk | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | — | Raw |
| Texture | Hard | Firm |
| Rind | Natural | Cloth-wrapped |
| Aging | 3 to 4 months | Minimum 9 months |
| Taste | Salty, sharp, strong | Nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness |
Taste Comparison: Does Roumy Cheese Taste Like West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
Roumy Cheese reads as salty, sharp, strong, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese brings nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness character. Aging plays into this as well. Roumy Cheese at 3 to 4 months develops a different profile than West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese at minimum 9 months.
Can You Substitute Roumy Cheese for West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
Roumy Cheese can stand in for West Country Farmhouse Cheddar 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 firm. Flavor-wise, Roumy Cheese reads as salty, sharp, strong while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese brings nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness notes.
Which Is Better, Roumy Cheese or West Country Farmhouse Cheddar 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 firm profile, West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Roumy Cheese suits recipes that want salty, sharp, strong notes, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese fits dishes calling for nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Roumy Cheese the same as West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Roumy Cheese is made from cow and buffalo milk; West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Roumy Cheese is typically aged 3 to 4 months, West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese minimum 9 months.
Is Roumy Cheese similar to West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Roumy Cheese for West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Roumy Cheese taste like West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
Roumy Cheese reads as salty, sharp, strong, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness.
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 West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese made of?
West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged minimum 9 months.
Which should I choose, Roumy Cheese or West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Roumy Cheese is hard, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is firm.