Bitto Cheese vs Swaledale Ewes' 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 Swaledale Ewes' Cheese is hard, firm, crumbly and made from sheep milk.

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 Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?

Swaledale Ewes Cheese is a full-fat hard cheese made from ewe’s milk in Swaledale, North Yorkshire. It has a cylindrical shape, a firm and crumbly texture, and a natural white color. The cheese is either coated in a greenish-blue-grey mold or sealed with black wax. Made entirely by hand, the traditional production process includes pressing, brining for 24 hours, and a maturation period of 3 to 4 weeks. The cheese has been produced in the region for centuries using a closely guarded recipe passed down through generations. The distinct flavor is influenced by the local pastures, which provide a unique mix of herbs and grasses for the sheep.

What's the Difference Between Bitto Cheese and Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?

• Milk type: Bitto Cheese (Cow's milk primarily, with non-mandatory addition of raw goat’s milk up to 10%), Swaledale Ewes' Cheese (Sheep)
• Texture: Bitto Cheese (fine-grained, sometimes with very few small holes; hard cheese from one year), Swaledale Ewes' Cheese (Hard, firm, crumbly)
• Rind: Bitto Cheese (smooth, 2 to 4 mm thick, straw-yellow turning brownish yellow with age), Swaledale Ewes' Cheese (Greenish-blue-grey mold or black wax coating)
• Aging: Bitto Cheese (Minimum of 70 days), Swaledale Ewes' Cheese (3 to 4 weeks)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Bitto Cheese Taste Like Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Bitto Cheese at minimum of 70 days develops a different profile than Swaledale Ewes' Cheese at 3 to 4 weeks.

Can You Substitute Bitto Cheese for Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?

Bitto Cheese can stand in for Swaledale Ewes' 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, firm, crumbly.

Which Is Better, Bitto Cheese or Swaledale Ewes' 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, firm, crumbly profile, Swaledale Ewes' Cheese is the better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bitto Cheese the same as Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Bitto Cheese is made from cow and goat milk; Swaledale Ewes' Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Bitto Cheese is typically aged minimum of 70 days, Swaledale Ewes' Cheese 3 to 4 weeks.

Is Bitto Cheese similar to Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Bitto Cheese for Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?

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

Does Bitto Cheese taste like Swaledale Ewes' 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 Swaledale Ewes' Cheese made of?

Swaledale Ewes' Cheese is made from sheep milk. It's typically aged 3 to 4 weeks.

Which should I choose, Bitto Cheese or Swaledale Ewes' 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 Swaledale Ewes' Cheese is hard, firm, crumbly.