Asiago Cheese vs Pecorino Siciliano Cheese

Asiago Cheese is a semi-hard, crumbly cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Pecorino Siciliano Cheese is semi-hard and made from sheep milk, originating in Italy.

What Is Asiago Cheese?

Asiago is a cow's milk cheese from the Asiago plateau in Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy, made either young and soft (Asiago pressato) or aged and crumbly (Asiago d'allevo). It carries Italian DOP status, though the name is treated as generic in the U.S. and Australia.

What Is Pecorino Siciliano Cheese?

Pecorino siciliano is a firm sheep milk cheese from Sicily. It goes back to the classical Greek world, when it was counted among the best cheeses anywhere, and it holds European PDO status today.

What's the Difference Between Asiago Cheese and Pecorino Siciliano Cheese?

• Milk type: Asiago Cheese (Cow's milk), Pecorino Siciliano Cheese (Sheep's milk)
• Texture: Asiago Cheese (Semi-hard, crumbly), Pecorino Siciliano Cheese (Semi-hard)
• Rind: Asiago Cheese (thin, elastic (Asiago pressato)), Pecorino Siciliano Cheese (White to light yellow)
• Aging: Asiago Cheese (20 to 40 days fresh; 60 days to 15 months or more aged), Pecorino Siciliano Cheese (At least 4 months, up to over 12 months)
• Taste: Asiago Cheese (sweetish when young, bitter and spicy when very old), Pecorino Siciliano Cheese (Varies from fresh and floral to fruity and spicy with age)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Asiago Cheese Taste Like Pecorino Siciliano Cheese?

Asiago Cheese reads as sweetish when young, bitter and spicy when very old, while Pecorino Siciliano Cheese brings varies from fresh and floral to fruity and spicy with age character. More specifically, Asiago Cheese shows mezzano sweetish, vecchio bitter, stravecchio bitter and spicy, while Pecorino Siciliano Cheese leans toward fresh, floral, fruity, spicy. Aging plays into this as well. Asiago Cheese at 20 to 40 days fresh; 60 days to 15 months or more aged develops a different profile than Pecorino Siciliano Cheese at at least 4 months, up to over 12 months.

Can You Substitute Asiago Cheese for Pecorino Siciliano Cheese?

Asiago Cheese can stand in for Pecorino Siciliano Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semi-hard, crumbly bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard. Flavor-wise, Asiago Cheese reads as sweetish when young, bitter and spicy when very old while Pecorino Siciliano Cheese brings varies from fresh and floral to fruity and spicy with age notes.

Which Is Better, Asiago Cheese or Pecorino Siciliano Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-hard, crumbly cheese, go with Asiago Cheese. For a semi-hard profile, Pecorino Siciliano Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Asiago Cheese suits recipes that want sweetish when young, bitter and spicy when very old notes, while Pecorino Siciliano Cheese fits dishes calling for varies from fresh and floral to fruity and spicy with age.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Asiago Cheese the same as Pecorino Siciliano Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Asiago Cheese is made from cow milk; Pecorino Siciliano Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Asiago Cheese is typically aged 20 to 40 days fresh; 60 days to 15 months or more aged, Pecorino Siciliano Cheese at least 4 months, up to over 12 months.

Is Asiago Cheese similar to Pecorino Siciliano Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Asiago Cheese for Pecorino Siciliano Cheese?

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

Does Asiago Cheese taste like Pecorino Siciliano Cheese?

Asiago Cheese reads as sweetish when young, bitter and spicy when very old, while Pecorino Siciliano Cheese is varies from fresh and floral to fruity and spicy with age.

What is Asiago Cheese made of?

Asiago Cheese is made from cow milk (raw (asiago d'allevo)), using rennet. It's typically aged 20 to 40 days fresh; 60 days to 15 months or more aged. It originates in Italy.

What is Pecorino Siciliano Cheese made of?

Pecorino Siciliano Cheese is made from sheep milk (raw), using lamb's rennet. It's typically aged at least 4 months, up to over 12 months. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Asiago Cheese or Pecorino Siciliano Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Asiago Cheese is semi-hard, crumbly, while Pecorino Siciliano Cheese is semi-hard.