Urdă Cheese vs Vlašić Cheese

Q: Is Urdă Cheese the same as Vlašić Cheese?

No. Urdă Cheese and Vlašić Cheese are distinct cheeses from Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine and Bosnia and Herzegovina respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Urdă Cheese for Vlašić Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Urdă Cheese for Vlašić Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Which should I choose, Urdă Cheese or Vlašić 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.

Urdă Cheese is a creamy, delicate cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine, while Vlašić Cheese is solid, spreadable and made from sheep milk, originating in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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 Is Vlašić Cheese?

Vlašić, also sold as Travnik cheese, is a white brined cheese from the Vlašić mountain above Travnik in central Bosnia and Herzegovina. Traditionally made from sheep milk, it ripens in brine and comes out mostly dry and quite salty.

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

Origin: Urdă Cheese (Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine), Vlašić Cheese (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Milk type: Urdă Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk), Vlašić Cheese (Ewe’s milk)
Milk treatment: Urdă Cheese (unpasteurized), Vlašić Cheese (Strained)
Texture: Urdă Cheese (Creamy, delicate), Vlašić Cheese (Solid, spreadable)
Aging: Urdă Cheese (Up to 360 days), Vlašić Cheese (Minimum 60 days)
Taste: Urdă Cheese (High quality), Vlašić Cheese (Milky sour, moderately salty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Urdă Cheese	Vlašić Cheese
Country of Origin	Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia And Ukraine	Bosnia And Herzegovina
Specific Origin	North Pindos, Konitsa	Vlašić Mountain
Milk Type	Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk	Ewe’s milk
Milk Treatment	Unpasteurized	Strained
Texture	Creamy, delicate	Solid, spreadable
Rind	Yellowish	—
Aging	Up to 360 days	Minimum 60 days
Taste	High quality	Milky sour, moderately salty

Taste Comparison: Does Urdă Cheese Taste Like Vlašić Cheese?

Urdă Cheese reads as high quality, while Vlašić Cheese brings milky sour, moderately salty character. On the nose, Urdă Cheese offers fresh, contrasted with Vlašić Cheese's pleasant, of sheep’s milk. More specifically, Urdă Cheese shows creamier and superior sensory qualities compared to mizithra, while Vlašić Cheese leans toward pleasant without foreign material, milky sour, and moderately salty taste. Aging plays into this as well. Urdă Cheese at up to 360 days develops a different profile than Vlašić Cheese at minimum 60 days.

Can You Substitute Urdă Cheese for Vlašić Cheese?

Urdă Cheese can stand in for Vlašić Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect creamy, delicate bite and body where the recipe calls for solid, spreadable. Flavor-wise, Urdă Cheese reads as high quality while Vlašić Cheese brings milky sour, moderately salty notes.

Which Is Better, Urdă Cheese or Vlašić Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a creamy, delicate cheese, go with Urdă Cheese. For a solid, spreadable profile, Vlašić Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Urdă Cheese suits recipes that want high quality notes, while Vlašić Cheese fits dishes calling for milky sour, moderately salty.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Urdă Cheese the same as Vlašić Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Urdă Cheese originates in Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine, while Vlašić Cheese comes from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Urdă Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Vlašić Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Urdă Cheese is typically aged up to 360 days, Vlašić Cheese minimum 60 days.

Is Urdă Cheese similar to Vlašić Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Urdă Cheese for Vlašić Cheese?

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

Does Urdă Cheese taste like Vlašić Cheese?

Urdă Cheese reads as high quality, while Vlašić Cheese is milky sour, moderately salty. Aromas also diverge. Urdă Cheese leans fresh, and Vlašić Cheese is closer to pleasant, of sheep’s milk.

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.

What is Vlašić Cheese made of?

Vlašić Cheese is made from sheep milk (strained), using local natural calf rennet. It's typically aged minimum 60 days. It originates in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Which should I choose, Urdă Cheese or Vlašić Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Urdă Cheese is creamy, delicate, while Vlašić Cheese is solid, spreadable.