Bitto Cheese vs Sheep's Milk 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 Sheep's Milk Cheese is a sheep-milk cheese.
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 Sheep's Milk Cheese?
Sheep's milk cheese is cheese made from ewe's milk, one of the three main milks used for cheese alongside cow and goat. Because sheep milk is high in fat, these cheeses are known for a concentrated, full-bodied taste.
What's the Difference Between Bitto Cheese and Sheep's Milk Cheese?
- Milk type: Bitto Cheese (Cow's milk primarily, with non-mandatory addition of raw goat’s milk up to 10%), Sheep's Milk Cheese (sheep)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Bitto Cheese | Sheep's Milk Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | — |
| Specific Origin | Province Of Sondrio, Lombardy, Including Neighboring Upland Pastures Of Lecco And Bergamo | — |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk primarily, with non-mandatory addition of raw goat’s milk up to 10% | Sheep |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | — |
| Texture | Fine-grained, sometimes with very few small holes; hard cheese from one year | — |
| Rind | Smooth, 2 to 4 mm thick, straw-yellow turning brownish yellow with age | — |
| Aging | Minimum of 70 days | — |
| Taste | Mild and sweet when young, stronger and spicier with age | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Bitto Cheese Taste Like Sheep's Milk Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Bitto Cheese for Sheep's Milk Cheese?
Bitto Cheese can stand in for Sheep's Milk Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Bitto Cheese or Sheep's Milk Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bitto Cheese the same as Sheep's Milk Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Bitto Cheese is made from cow and goat milk; Sheep's Milk Cheese uses sheep.
Is Bitto Cheese similar to Sheep's Milk Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Bitto Cheese for Sheep's Milk Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Bitto Cheese taste like Sheep's Milk 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 Sheep's Milk Cheese made of?
Sheep's Milk Cheese is made from sheep milk, using animal or microbial rennet.
Which should I choose, Bitto Cheese or Sheep's Milk Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.