Cheese vs. Paneer — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 12, 2023
Cheese is a dairy product made from curdled milk and aged; Paneer is a fresh, unaged Indian cheese curdled with lemon juice or vinegar.
Difference Between Cheese and Paneer
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Cheese and Paneer are both dairy products derived from milk. However, their processes of preparation, consistency, and usage in culinary dishes vary significantly. Cheese is a broad category of dairy product made by curdling milk, often using rennet or bacteria, and then aging it. Depending on the aging process and the type of milk used, different varieties of Cheese with distinct flavors and textures can be produced. On the contrary, Paneer is a type of fresh cheese prevalent in South Asian cuisines, particularly in India. To make Paneer, milk is curdled using an acid, such as lemon juice or vinegar, and then the whey is drained off.
Cheese often undergoes a maturation process, which can range from a few days to several years. This aging is what gives Cheese its distinct flavor profiles, from sharp cheddars to mild bries. Paneer, in contrast, is not aged and has a mild, milky flavor.
While Cheese is versatile and found in various global cuisines, Paneer holds a special place in Indian dishes, especially in curries and grilled items.
Comparison Chart
Origin
Global
South Asia (primarily India)
Method of Curdling
Often with rennet or bacteria
Acidic substances like lemon juice or vinegar
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Aging
Typically aged, varies from days to years
Fresh, not aged
Flavor
Ranges from mild to strong based on type and aging
Mild, milky flavor
Usage in Cuisine
Used in various global cuisines, from pizzas to sandwiches
Primarily in Indian dishes like curries and as grilled cubes
Compare with Definitions
Cheese
A dairy product made from curdled milk and aged.
I love adding Cheese to my sandwiches.
Paneer
A dairy product with a mild, milky flavor.
Unlike strong cheeses, Paneer has a subtle taste.
Cheese
Cheese is a dairy product, derived from milk and produced in wide ranges of flavors, textures and forms by coagulation of the milk protein casein. It comprises proteins and fat from milk, usually the milk of cows, buffalo, goats, or sheep.
Paneer
An essential protein source in vegetarian Indian cuisine.
Many vegetarians in India consume Paneer as a primary protein source.
Cheese
A solid food prepared from the pressed curd of milk, often seasoned and aged.
Paneer
A cheese curdled with acidic substances.
Paneer is typically made using lemon juice to curdle the milk.
Cheese
A molded mass of this substance.
Paneer
A fresh cheese from India made by curdling milk.
Paneer butter masala is a popular Indian dish.
Cheese
Something resembling this substance in shape or consistency.
Paneer
A cheese that doesn't melt when heated.
Grilled Paneer cubes are a favorite snack.
Cheese
An important person.
Paneer
Paneer (pronounced [pəniːr]) or Ponir (pronounced [po̯ni̯r]) or Indian cottage cheese is a fresh acid-set cheese common in the Indian subcontinent (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh) made from cow or buffalo milk. It is a non-aged, non-melting soft cheese made by curdling milk with a fruit- or vegetable-derived acid, such as lemon juice.
Cheese
To stop.
Paneer
A soft unsalted and unripened cheese made from milk that is simmered, curdled using lemon juice, vinegar, yogurt, or a similarly acidic substance, and then drained and pressed in cheesecloth.
Cheese
(uncountable) A dairy product made from curdled or cultured milk.
Paneer
A soft, non-matured, Indian cheese.
The spinach was mixed with paneer to make a satisfying meal.
Cheese
(countable) Any particular variety of cheese.
Cheese
(countable) A piece of cheese, especially one moulded into a large round shape during manufacture.
Cheese
A thick variety of jam (fruit preserve), as distinguished from a thinner variety (sometimes called jelly)
Cheese
A substance resembling cream cheese, such as lemon cheese
Cheese
That which is melodramatic, overly emotional, or cliché, i.e. cheesy.
Cheese
Money.
Cheese
In skittles, the roughly ovoid object that is thrown to knock down the skittles.
Cheese
A fastball.
Cheese
A dangerous mixture of black tar heroin and crushed Tylenol PM tablets. The resulting powder resembles grated cheese and is snorted.
Cheese
Smegma.
Cheese
(technology) Holed pattern of circuitry to decrease pattern density.
Cheese
A mass of pomace, or ground apples, pressed together in the shape of a cheese.
Cheese
The flat, circular, mucilaginous fruit of the dwarf mallow (Malva rotundifolia) or marshmallow (Althaea officinalis).
Cheese
A low curtsey; so called on account of the cheese shape assumed by a woman's dress when she stoops after extending the skirts by a rapid gyration.
Cheese
(slang) Wealth, fame, excellence, importance.
Cheese
The correct thing, of excellent quality; the ticket.
These cheroots are the real cheese.
Cheese
To prepare curds for making cheese.
Cheese
(technology) To make holes in a pattern of circuitry to decrease pattern density.
Cheese
(slang) To smile excessively, as for a camera.
Cheese
(slang) To stop; to refrain from.
Cheese it! The cops!
Cheese your patter! (= stop talking, shut up)
Cheese
(slang) To anger or irritate someone, usually in combination with "off".
All this waiting around is really cheesing me off.
Cheese
To use a controversial or unsporting tactic to gain an advantage (especially in a game.)
You can cheese most of the game using certain exploits.
Cheese
To use an unconventional, all-in strategy to take one's opponent by surprise early in the game (especially for real-time strategy games).
Cheese
(photography) Said while being photographed, to give the impression of smiling.
Say "cheese"! ... and there we are!
Cheese
The curd of milk, coagulated usually with rennet, separated from the whey, and pressed into a solid mass in a hoop or mold.
Cheese
A mass of pomace, or ground apples, pressed together in the form of a cheese.
Cheese
The flat, circular, mucilaginous fruit of the dwarf mallow (Malva rotundifolia).
Cheese
A low courtesy; - so called on account of the cheese form assumed by a woman's dress when she stoops after extending the skirts by a rapid gyration.
Cheese
A solid food prepared from the pressed curd of milk
Cheese
Erect or decumbent Old World perennial with axillary clusters of rosy-purple flowers; introduced in United States
Cheese
Used in the imperative (get away, or stop it);
Cheese it!
Cheese
Wind onto a cheese;
Cheese the yarn
Cheese
A food item with various textures and flavors based on type.
Brie is a soft and creamy Cheese.
Cheese
A product derived from milk using rennet or bacteria.
Traditional Cheese production involves the use of rennet.
Cheese
A source of protein, fat, and calcium.
Cheese is a nutritious addition to the diet.
Cheese
A versatile ingredient in many dishes.
From pizzas to pasta, Cheese enhances many recipes.
Common Curiosities
Is Paneer a type of Cheese?
Yes, Paneer is a type of fresh cheese popular in South Asian cuisines.
Can you melt Paneer like other cheeses?
No, Paneer retains its shape when heated and doesn't melt like many cheeses.
Why does Cheese have so many flavors while Paneer doesn't?
Cheese undergoes an aging process, determining its flavor, whereas Paneer is fresh and not aged.
What is the primary ingredient for Cheese and Paneer?
Both Cheese and Paneer are made from milk.
Can Cheese be used as a substitute for Paneer in recipes?
While they are different, firm cheeses like tofu or halloumi can sometimes be used as substitutes for Paneer.
Is Paneer suitable for lactose-intolerant individuals?
Paneer contains some lactose, but the amount is less than in some other dairy products.
How is Paneer curdled?
Paneer is curdled using acidic substances like lemon juice or vinegar.
Is Cheese healthier than Paneer?
Both have nutritional benefits, but the healthiness depends on the type of Cheese, how it's made, and its consumption quantity.
In which dishes is Paneer commonly used?
Paneer is commonly used in Indian curries, snacks, and grilled dishes.
Which Cheese is similar to Paneer in texture?
Halloumi is somewhat similar to Paneer in texture as it also doesn't melt easily.
How is Cheese typically curdled?
Cheese is often curdled using rennet or specific bacteria.
Can you age Paneer like other cheeses?
No, Paneer is a fresh cheese and isn't typically aged.
Which regions primarily consume Cheese and Paneer?
Cheese is consumed globally, while Paneer is primarily consumed in South Asia, especially India.
Are rennet-made cheeses vegetarian?
Not always, as traditional rennet is derived from animal stomachs, but vegetarian rennets are available.
Is Paneer considered vegetarian?
Yes, Paneer is considered vegetarian as it's made using vegetable-based acids.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
