What is the Difference Between Cottage Cheese and Cream Cheese

The main difference between cottage cheese and cream cheese is that cottage cheese has lower fat content than cream cheese. Besides that, cottage cheese is chunky and has creamy wetness while cream cheese is smooth and spreadable.

Cottage cheese is a type of fresh cheese that is soft and lumpy. Cream cheese is a soft, fresh cheese made with made either with cream or with a mixture of cream and milk. Both are very similar in appearances and share many similarities. However, there is a distinctive difference between cottage cheese and cream cheese.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Cottage Cheese 
     – Definition, Making, Features
2. What is Cream Cheese
     – Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between Cottage Cheese and Cream Cheese
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Cottage Cheese and Cream Cheese
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Cottage Cheese, Cream CheeseDifference Between Cottage Cheese and Cream Cheese - Comparison Summary

What is Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese is a soft, white, lumpy cheese having a slightly savory and creamy taste. It’s a fresh cheese as it does not undergo any ageing process. When compared to aged cheese, it has a mild flavor. Cottage cheese is made from curds of various types of pasteurized milk (cow’s milk), including regular milk, nonfat milk, or low-fat milk. It’s available in different curd sizes, generally small, medium, or large. It’s available in varieties like creamed, whipped, lactose-free, or sodium-free.

Difference Between Cottage Cheese and Cream Cheese

When compared to other types of cheese, cottage cheese is low in calories. Moreover, it can be used with a wide range of food such as fruit, yogurt, toast, in salads, as a dip and even a replacement for mayonnaise.

How to Make Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese is very easy to make. We can even make it at home. Making cottage cheese involves curdling the milk. You can do this by adding an acidic substance like vinegar or lime to warm milk. When milk has high acidity, curd separates from the whey, which is the liquid part of the milk. Once the curd is solidified, you have to cut it into pieces and cook until more moisture is released. Then you have to wash it to remove acidity and drain it to remove the moisture. This results in a sweet curd that crumbles easily. Finally, you can add ingredients like salt, cream, herbs and spices.

What is Cream Cheese

Cream cheese is a soft, white, fresh, spreadable cheese with a smooth texture, made of sweet milk and sometimes cream. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, it contains at least 33% fat and a moisture content of 55 %or less. It is somewhat similar in flavor and texture to mascarpone cheese.

You can spread cream cheese on bread, crackers, bagels, etc., It is also used in salads, as a dip for potato chips and similar snacks. You can also mix it with other ingredients like yogurt to make spreads.

Main Difference - Cottage Cheese vs Cream Cheese

Makin cream cheese is not very difficult. It can be easily made at home. The process is very similar to making cottage cheese as both involve acidification and separation of the curd from the whey.  The industrial process involves stabilizers like carob bean gum and carrageenan.

Similarities Between Cottage Cheese and Cream Cheese

  • Both cottage cheese and cream cheese are fresh cheese, which has not undergone any ageing process.
  • They can be used as dips, in salads, and as spreads.
  • Both can be easily made at home.
  • The production processes of these two types of cheese are also similar.

Difference Between Cottage Cheese and Cream Cheese

Definition

Cottage cheese is a soft, white, lumpy cheese having a slightly savory and creamy taste while cream cheese is a soft, white, fresh, spreadable cheese with a smooth texture, made of sweet milk and sometimes cream.

Texture

While cottage cheese is chunky and has a creamy wetness, cream cheese is smooth and spreadable.

Fat Content

Cream cheese has a higher fat content than cream cheese.

Stabilizers

Stabilizers are not used in the production of cottage cheese, but stabilizers are used in the production of cream cheese.

Conclusion

The main difference between cottage cheese and cream cheese is that cottage cheese has lower fat content than cream cheese. In addition to that, cottage cheese is chunky and has creamy wetness while cream cheese is smooth and spreadable.

Reference:

1. Semeco, Arlene. “Why Cottage Cheese Is Super Healthy and Nutritious.” Healthline, Healthline Media, Available here.
2. Mannon, Grace. “What Exactly Is Cream Cheese?” Taste of Home, 20 Mar. 2019, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Cottage Cheese homemade” By Shadle – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “NCI cream cheese bagel” By Renee Comet – This image was released by the National Cancer Institute, an agency part of the National Institutes of Health (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia

About the Author: Hasa

Hasanthi is a seasoned content writer and editor with over 8 years of experience. Armed with a BA degree in English and a knack for digital marketing, she explores her passions for literature, history, culture, and food through her engaging and informative writing.

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