Anari Cheese vs Pecorino Cheese

Anari Cheese is a soft, crumbly curds goat or sheep-milk cheese from Cyprus, while Pecorino Cheese is hard and made from sheep milk, originating in Italy.

What Is Anari Cheese?

Anari is a fresh, mild whey cheese from Cyprus, made mostly from the whey left over from halloumi or kefalotyri. Soft and chalk-white when young, it is eaten with carob syrup or honey, or salted and dried into a hard cheese for grating.

What Is Pecorino Cheese?

Pecorino is an Italian hard cheese made from sheep's milk, and its name comes from pecora, the Italian word for sheep. Six main varieties carry PDO status, with Pecorino Romano the best known outside Italy.

What's the Difference Between Anari Cheese and Pecorino Cheese?

• Origin: Anari Cheese (Cyprus), Pecorino Cheese (Italy)
• Milk type: Anari Cheese (goat's or sheep's milk), Pecorino Cheese (sheep's milk)
• Texture: Anari Cheese (Soft, crumbly curds), Pecorino Cheese (hard)
• Aging: Anari Cheese (Fresh (2-3 days shelf life), Salted (microbiologically safe for up to 6 months)), Pecorino Cheese (fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Anari Cheese Taste Like Pecorino Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Anari Cheese shows similar to italian ricotta, greek mizithra, and lor peyniri of turkey, while Pecorino Cheese leans toward buttery, nutty, mild cream and milk. Aging plays into this as well. Anari Cheese at fresh (2-3 days shelf life), salted (microbiologically safe for up to 6 months) develops a different profile than Pecorino Cheese at fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato.

Can You Substitute Anari Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?

Anari Cheese can stand in for Pecorino Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, crumbly curds bite and body where the recipe calls for hard.

Which Is Better, Anari Cheese or Pecorino Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, crumbly curds cheese, go with Anari Cheese. For a hard profile, Pecorino Cheese is the better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Anari Cheese the same as Pecorino Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Anari Cheese originates in Cyprus, while Pecorino Cheese comes from Italy. Anari Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk; Pecorino Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Anari Cheese is typically aged fresh (2-3 days shelf life), salted (microbiologically safe for up to 6 months), Pecorino Cheese fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato.

Is Anari Cheese similar to Pecorino Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Anari Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?

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

Does Anari Cheese taste like Pecorino Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.

What is Anari Cheese made of?

Anari Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk (gradually heated to 149–158°f, then to 194°f). It's typically aged fresh (2-3 days shelf life), salted (microbiologically safe for up to 6 months). It originates in Cyprus.

What is Pecorino Cheese made of?

Pecorino Cheese is made from sheep milk. It's typically aged fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Anari Cheese or Pecorino Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Anari Cheese is soft, crumbly curds, while Pecorino Cheese is hard.