Queijo Serra da Estrela vs Tulum Cheese
Queijo Serra da Estrela is a closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (velho) sheep-milk cheese from Portugal, while Tulum Cheese is a goat-milk cheese, originating in Turkey.
What Is Queijo Serra da Estrela?
Serra da Estrela is a sheep's milk cheese from the mountains of central Portugal, protected as a PDO in the European Union and the UK. It is coagulated with thistle instead of rennet, and its paste runs from nearly semi-liquid when young to solid but sliceable with age.
What Is Tulum Cheese?
Tulum is a Turkish goat's milk cheese ripened inside a goatskin casing, which is what the word tulum means in Turkish. It is made in several regions, and versions from Erzincan, İzmir, Divle, Çimi and Kargı each taste different.
What's the Difference Between Queijo Serra da Estrela and Tulum Cheese?
- Origin: Queijo Serra da Estrela (Portugal), Tulum Cheese (Turkey)
- Milk type: Queijo Serra da Estrela (Sheep), Tulum Cheese (goat)
- Aging: Queijo Serra da Estrela (Minimum 30 days; 120 days for "Velho"), Tulum Cheese (about 6 months)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Queijo Serra da Estrela | Tulum Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Portugal | Turkey |
| Specific Origin | Beira Uplands, Including Municipalities Such As Carregal Do Sal, Celorico Da Beira, And Others. | Turkey |
| Milk Type | Sheep | Goat |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Raw |
| Texture | Closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (Velho) | — |
| Rind | Smooth and semi-soft (standard), smooth to slightly wrinkled and hard to extra hard (Velho) | — |
| Aging | Minimum 30 days; 120 days for "Velho" | About 6 months |
| Taste | Smooth, clean, and slightly acidic (standard); pleasant, lingering, clean, strong to slightly strong and slightly spicy/salty (Velho) | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Queijo Serra da Estrela Taste Like Tulum Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Queijo Serra da Estrela at minimum 30 days; 120 days for "velho" develops a different profile than Tulum Cheese at about 6 months.
Can You Substitute Queijo Serra da Estrela for Tulum Cheese?
Queijo Serra da Estrela can stand in for Tulum Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Queijo Serra da Estrela or Tulum Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Queijo Serra da Estrela the same as Tulum Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Queijo Serra da Estrela originates in Portugal, while Tulum Cheese comes from Turkey. Queijo Serra da Estrela is made from sheep milk; Tulum Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Queijo Serra da Estrela is typically aged minimum 30 days; 120 days for "velho", Tulum Cheese about 6 months.
Is Queijo Serra da Estrela similar to Tulum Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Queijo Serra da Estrela for Tulum Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Queijo Serra da Estrela taste like Tulum Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Queijo Serra da Estrela made of?
Queijo Serra da Estrela is made from sheep milk (raw), using cardoon flower (cynara cardunculus, l) rennet. It's typically aged minimum 30 days; 120 days for "velho". It originates in Portugal.
What is Tulum Cheese made of?
Tulum Cheese is made from goat milk (raw). It's typically aged about 6 months. It originates in Turkey.
Which should I choose, Queijo Serra da Estrela or Tulum Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.