Banon Cheese vs Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese
Banon Cheese is a creamy, soft, and tender goat-milk cheese from France, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy and made from cow milk.
What Is Banon Cheese?
Banon is an unpasteurized goat cheese from Provence, sold as a small 100 g disc wrapped in chestnut leaves and tied with raffia. It ages about two weeks, gets dipped in eau de vie before wrapping, and has held AOC status since July 2003.
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 Banon Cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
- Milk type: Banon Cheese (goat's milk), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (cow)
- Milk treatment: Banon Cheese (unpasteurized), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (raw)
- Texture: Banon Cheese (Creamy, soft, and tender), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (hard, dry and grainy)
- Taste: Banon Cheese (Mild and intense, with notes of mushrooms and forest floor), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (sharp, salty and savory)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Banon Cheese | Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | — |
| Specific Origin | Provence (Alpes-De-Haute Provence, Hautes-Alpes, Vaucluse, Drome) | Parma And Reggio Emilia, Italy |
| Milk Type | Goat's milk | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Creamy, soft, and tender | Hard, dry and grainy |
| Rind | Wrapped in chestnut leaves | — |
| Aging | 15 days | — |
| Taste | Mild and intense, with notes of mushrooms and forest floor | Sharp, salty and savory |
Taste Comparison: Does Banon Cheese Taste Like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Banon Cheese reads as mild and intense, with notes of mushrooms and forest floor, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory character. More specifically, Banon Cheese shows pungent, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese leans toward strong umami from a high glutamate content.
Can You Substitute Banon Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Banon Cheese can stand in for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect creamy, soft, and tender bite and body where the recipe calls for hard, dry and grainy. Flavor-wise, Banon Cheese reads as mild and intense, with notes of mushrooms and forest floor while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory notes.
Which Is Better, Banon Cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a creamy, soft, and tender cheese, go with Banon Cheese. For a hard, dry and grainy profile, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Banon Cheese suits recipes that want mild and intense, with notes of mushrooms and forest floor notes, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese fits dishes calling for sharp, salty and savory.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Banon Cheese the same as Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Banon Cheese is made from goat milk; Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese uses cow.
Is Banon Cheese similar to Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Banon Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Banon Cheese taste like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Banon Cheese reads as mild and intense, with notes of mushrooms and forest floor, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is sharp, salty and savory.
What is Banon Cheese made of?
Banon Cheese is made from goat milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged 15 days. It originates in France.
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, Banon Cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Banon Cheese is creamy, soft, and tender, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy.