Queijo de Azeitão vs Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese
Queijo de Azeitão is a semi-hard, buttery, creamy, unctuous, with infrequent or non-existent eyes sheep-milk cheese from Portugal, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy and made from cow milk.
What Is Queijo de Azeitão?
Queijo de Azeitão is a Portuguese cheese from the town of Azeitão, produced in Setúbal, Palmela and Sesimbra. It holds EU PDO status and was named one of the 50 best gastronomic products in the world at the 2014 Great Taste Awards.
What Is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio is a long-aged Parmigiano Reggiano, the hard granular cow's milk cheese of Parma and Reggio Emilia. It is dry and grainy, with the sharp, salty, savory taste that makes it a grating cheese.
What's the Difference Between Queijo de Azeitão and Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
- Milk type: Queijo de Azeitão (Sheep), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (cow)
- Texture: Queijo de Azeitão (Semi-hard, buttery, creamy, unctuous, with infrequent or non-existent eyes), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (hard, dry and grainy)
- Taste: Queijo de Azeitão (Slightly piquant, a mix of sharp and salty), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (sharp, salty and savory)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Queijo de Azeitão | Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Portugal | — |
| Specific Origin | Palmela, Setúbal, And Sesimbra Councils | Parma And Reggio Emilia, Italy |
| Milk Type | Sheep | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Raw |
| Texture | Semi-hard, buttery, creamy, unctuous, with infrequent or non-existent eyes | Hard, dry and grainy |
| Rind | Malleable, quite soft, whole, well-formed, smooth, fine, yellow, uniform | — |
| Aging | Minimum curing time is 16 days | — |
| Taste | Slightly piquant, a mix of sharp and salty | Sharp, salty and savory |
Taste Comparison: Does Queijo de Azeitão Taste Like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Queijo de Azeitão reads as slightly piquant, a mix of sharp and salty, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory character. More specifically, Queijo de Azeitão shows acidic, salty, slightly bitter, spicy, pungent, with grassy, herbaceous, and nutty aromas, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese leans toward strong umami from a high glutamate content.
Can You Substitute Queijo de Azeitão for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Queijo de Azeitão can stand in for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semi-hard, buttery, creamy, unctuous, with infrequent or non-existent eyes bite and body where the recipe calls for hard, dry and grainy. Flavor-wise, Queijo de Azeitão reads as slightly piquant, a mix of sharp and salty while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory notes.
Which Is Better, Queijo de Azeitão or Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-hard, buttery, creamy, unctuous, with infrequent or non-existent eyes cheese, go with Queijo de Azeitão. For a hard, dry and grainy profile, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Queijo de Azeitão suits recipes that want slightly piquant, a mix of sharp and salty notes, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese fits dishes calling for sharp, salty and savory.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Queijo de Azeitão the same as Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Queijo de Azeitão is made from sheep milk; Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese uses cow.
Is Queijo de Azeitão similar to Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Queijo de Azeitão for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Queijo de Azeitão taste like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Queijo de Azeitão reads as slightly piquant, a mix of sharp and salty, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is sharp, salty and savory.
What is Queijo de Azeitão made of?
Queijo de Azeitão is made from sheep milk (raw), using cardoon (cynara cardunculus l.) preparation rennet. It's typically aged minimum curing time is 16 days. It originates in Portugal.
What is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese made of?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal (calf) rennet.
Which should I choose, Queijo de Azeitão or Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Queijo de Azeitão is semi-hard, buttery, creamy, unctuous, with infrequent or non-existent eyes, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy.