Swaledale Cheese vs Urdă Cheese
Swaledale Cheese
Urdă Cheese
Swaledale Cheese is a moist, medium firm cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from England, 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 Swaledale Cheese?
Swaledale is a full fat hard cheese from Richmond in Swaledale, North Yorkshire, made with unpasteurised cow, sheep or goat milk. It is known for its moist medium firm texture and a rind of grey-blue mould or natural wax.
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 Swaledale Cheese and Urdă Cheese?
- Origin: Swaledale Cheese (England), Urdă Cheese (Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine)
- Milk treatment: Swaledale Cheese (raw), Urdă Cheese (unpasteurized)
- Texture: Swaledale Cheese (moist, medium firm), Urdă Cheese (Creamy, delicate)
- Rind: Swaledale Cheese (grey-blue mould or natural wax), Urdă Cheese (Yellowish)
- Aging: Swaledale Cheese (3 to 4 weeks), Urdă Cheese (Up to 360 days)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Swaledale Cheese | Urdă Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | England | Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia And Ukraine |
| Specific Origin | Swaledale, North Yorkshire | North Pindos, Konitsa |
| Milk Type | Cow, sheep, goat | Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Moist, medium firm | Creamy, delicate |
| Rind | Grey-blue mould or natural wax | Yellowish |
| Aging | 3 to 4 weeks | Up to 360 days |
| Taste | — | High quality |
Taste Comparison: Does Swaledale Cheese Taste Like Urdă Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Swaledale Cheese shows fresh and bracken-like, with a sweet caramel undertone from ewes' milk, while Urdă Cheese leans toward creamier and superior sensory qualities compared to mizithra. Aging plays into this as well. Swaledale Cheese at 3 to 4 weeks develops a different profile than Urdă Cheese at up to 360 days.
Can You Substitute Swaledale Cheese for Urdă Cheese?
In most recipes, Swaledale Cheese and Urdă Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect moist, medium firm bite and body where the recipe calls for creamy, delicate.
Which Is Better, Swaledale Cheese or Urdă Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a moist, medium firm cheese, go with Swaledale 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 Swaledale Cheese the same as Urdă Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Swaledale Cheese originates in England, while Urdă Cheese comes from Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine. Aging also differs: Swaledale Cheese is typically aged 3 to 4 weeks, Urdă Cheese up to 360 days.
Is Swaledale Cheese similar to Urdă Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow, goat, or sheep-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Swaledale Cheese for Urdă Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Swaledale Cheese taste like Urdă Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Swaledale Cheese made of?
Swaledale Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (raw), using rennet added after culturing rennet. It's typically aged 3 to 4 weeks. It originates in England.
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, Swaledale Cheese or Urdă Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Swaledale Cheese is moist, medium firm, while Urdă Cheese is creamy, delicate.