Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese vs Urdă Cheese

Q: Is Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese the same as Urdă Cheese?

No. Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese and Urdă Cheese are distinct cheeses from France and Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese for Urdă Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese for Urdă Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Does Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese taste like Urdă Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. See the side-by-side table above for details.

Q: Which should I choose, Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese or Urdă Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese

Urdă Cheese

Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is a semi-soft goat-milk cheese from France, 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 Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?

Sainte-Maure de Touraine is a goat cheese from the Loire Valley of France. It is easily recognizable by its long, cylindrical shape and a small straw running through its center, which helps maintain the shape and distribute moisture. The cheese has a soft, creamy texture with a mild, slightly tangy flavor that becomes nuttier as it ages.

What Is Urdă Cheese?

Urdă, also found in Romania and other Balkan countries, is a fresh cheese made from whey, with the addition of milk and cream. It has a soft, crumbly texture and a mild, sweet flavor. Urdă is often used in desserts or as a filling for pastries due to its light and pleasant taste.

What's the Difference Between Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese and Urdă Cheese?

Origin: Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (France), Urdă Cheese (Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine)
Milk type: Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (goat’s milk), Urdă Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk)
Milk treatment: Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Raw), Urdă Cheese (unpasteurized)
Texture: Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (semi-soft), Urdă Cheese (Creamy, delicate)
Rind: Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Gray-blue), Urdă Cheese (Yellowish)
Aging: Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Minimum of ten days), Urdă Cheese (Up to 360 days)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese	Urdă Cheese
Country of Origin	France	Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia And Ukraine
Specific Origin	Indre-Et-Loire And Bordering Cantons	North Pindos, Konitsa
Milk Type	Goat’s milk	Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk
Milk Treatment	Raw	Unpasteurized
Texture	Semi-soft	Creamy, delicate
Rind	Gray-blue	Yellowish
Aging	Minimum of ten days	Up to 360 days
Taste	—	High quality

Taste Comparison: Does Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese Taste Like Urdă Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese at minimum of ten days develops a different profile than Urdă Cheese at up to 360 days.

Can You Substitute Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese for Urdă Cheese?

Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese can stand in for Urdă Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semi-soft bite and body where the recipe calls for creamy, delicate.

Which Is Better, Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese or Urdă Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-soft cheese, go with Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese. For a creamy, delicate profile, Urdă Cheese is the better fit.

Which is your favorite?

One click, anonymous. See what others chose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese the same as Urdă Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese originates in France, while Urdă Cheese comes from Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine. Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is made from goat milk; Urdă Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep. Aging also differs: Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is typically aged minimum of ten days, Urdă Cheese up to 360 days.

Is Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese similar to Urdă Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese for Urdă Cheese?

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

Does Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese taste like Urdă Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.

What is Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese made of?

Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is made from goat milk (raw). It's typically aged minimum of ten days. It originates in France.

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, Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese or Urdă Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is semi-soft, while Urdă Cheese is creamy, delicate.