Bitto Cheese vs Pecorino Cheese

Q: Is Bitto Cheese the same as Pecorino Cheese?

No. Bitto Cheese and Pecorino Cheese are distinct cheeses. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Bitto Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Bitto Cheese for Pecorino Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Does Bitto Cheese taste like Pecorino Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. See the side-by-side table above for details.

Q: Which should I choose, Bitto Cheese or Pecorino Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Bitto Cheese

Pecorino Cheese

Bitto Cheese is a fine-grained, sometimes with very few small holes; hard cheese from one year cow and goat-milk cheese from Italy, while Pecorino Cheese is hard and made from sheep milk, originating in Italy.

What Is Bitto Cheese?

Bitto is a raw-milk PDO cheese from the alpine pastures of Sondrio in Lombardy, made only between 1 June and 30 September from cow's milk, sometimes with up to 10 percent goat's milk. Young wheels taste mild and sweet, and some are aged for years.

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 Bitto Cheese and Pecorino Cheese?

Milk type: Bitto Cheese (Cow's milk primarily, with non-mandatory addition of raw goat’s milk up to 10%), Pecorino Cheese (sheep's milk)
Texture: Bitto Cheese (fine-grained, sometimes with very few small holes; hard cheese from one year), Pecorino Cheese (hard)
Aging: Bitto Cheese (Minimum of 70 days), Pecorino Cheese (fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Bitto Cheese	Pecorino Cheese
Country of Origin	Italy	Italy
Specific Origin	Province Of Sondrio, Lombardy, Including Neighboring Upland Pastures Of Lecco And Bergamo	Italy
Milk Type	Cow's milk primarily, with non-mandatory addition of raw goat’s milk up to 10%	Sheep's milk
Milk Treatment	Raw	—
Texture	Fine-grained, sometimes with very few small holes; hard cheese from one year	Hard
Rind	Smooth, 2 to 4 mm thick, straw-yellow turning brownish yellow with age	—
Aging	Minimum of 70 days	Fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato
Taste	Mild and sweet when young, stronger and spicier with age	—

Taste Comparison: Does Bitto Cheese Taste Like Pecorino Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Bitto Cheese shows cooked at 118–126°f, finely cut curd, matured for a minimum of 70 days, while Pecorino Cheese leans toward buttery, nutty, mild cream and milk. Aging plays into this as well. Bitto Cheese at minimum of 70 days develops a different profile than Pecorino Cheese at fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato.

Can You Substitute Bitto Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?

Bitto Cheese can stand in for Pecorino Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect fine-grained, sometimes with very few small holes; hard cheese from one year bite and body where the recipe calls for hard.

Which Is Better, Bitto Cheese or Pecorino Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a fine-grained, sometimes with very few small holes; hard cheese from one year cheese, go with Bitto Cheese. For a hard profile, Pecorino Cheese is the better fit.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bitto Cheese the same as Pecorino Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Bitto Cheese is made from cow and goat milk; Pecorino Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Bitto Cheese is typically aged minimum of 70 days, Pecorino Cheese fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato.

Is Bitto Cheese similar to Pecorino Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Bitto Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?

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

Does Bitto Cheese taste like Pecorino Cheese?

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

What is Bitto Cheese made of?

Bitto Cheese is made from cow and goat milk (raw), using calf rennet. It's typically aged minimum of 70 days. It originates in Italy.

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, Bitto Cheese or Pecorino Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Bitto Cheese is fine-grained, sometimes with very few small holes; hard cheese from one year, while Pecorino Cheese is hard.