Bitto Cheese vs Washed Rind Cheese

Q: Is Bitto Cheese the same as Washed Rind Cheese?

No. Bitto Cheese and Washed Rind 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 Washed Rind Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Bitto Cheese for Washed Rind Cheese, though the result will shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Q: Which should I choose, Bitto Cheese or Washed Rind 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

Washed Rind 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 Washed Rind Cheese is soft to hard.

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 Washed Rind Cheese?

Washed-rind cheese, also called smear-ripened, is cured over and over with brine or mold-bearing agents as it ripens. That feeds Brevibacterium linens on the surface, which gives the cheese its pungent smell, firm rind and distinctive flavor.

What's the Difference Between Bitto Cheese and Washed Rind Cheese?

Texture: Bitto Cheese (fine-grained, sometimes with very few small holes; hard cheese from one year), Washed Rind Cheese (soft to hard)
Rind: Bitto Cheese (smooth, 2 to 4 mm thick, straw-yellow turning brownish yellow with age), Washed Rind Cheese (washed, firm)
Taste: Bitto Cheese (mild and sweet when young, stronger and spicier with age), Washed Rind Cheese (pungent, distinctive)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Bitto Cheese	Washed Rind 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%	—
Milk Treatment	Raw	—
Texture	Fine-grained, sometimes with very few small holes; hard cheese from one year	Soft to hard
Rind	Smooth, 2 to 4 mm thick, straw-yellow turning brownish yellow with age	Washed, firm
Aging	Minimum of 70 days	—
Taste	Mild and sweet when young, stronger and spicier with age	Pungent, distinctive

Taste Comparison: Does Bitto Cheese Taste Like Washed Rind Cheese?

Bitto Cheese reads as mild and sweet when young, stronger and spicier with age, while Washed Rind Cheese brings pungent, distinctive character.

Can You Substitute Bitto Cheese for Washed Rind Cheese?

Bitto Cheese can stand in for Washed Rind 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 soft to hard. Flavor-wise, Bitto Cheese reads as mild and sweet when young, stronger and spicier with age while Washed Rind Cheese brings pungent, distinctive notes.

Which Is Better, Bitto Cheese or Washed Rind 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 soft to hard profile, Washed Rind Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Bitto Cheese suits recipes that want mild and sweet when young, stronger and spicier with age notes, while Washed Rind Cheese fits dishes calling for pungent, distinctive.

Which is your favorite?

One click, anonymous. See what others chose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bitto Cheese the same as Washed Rind Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses.

Is Bitto Cheese similar to Washed Rind Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Bitto Cheese for Washed Rind Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Bitto Cheese taste like Washed Rind Cheese?

Bitto Cheese reads as mild and sweet when young, stronger and spicier with age, while Washed Rind Cheese is pungent, distinctive.

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 Washed Rind Cheese made of?

Washed Rind Cheese is made from milk.

Which should I choose, Bitto Cheese or Washed Rind 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 Washed Rind Cheese is soft to hard.