Boursin Cheese vs Pecorino Cheese
Boursin Cheese
Pecorino Cheese
Boursin Cheese is a soft and creamy cow-milk cheese from France, while Pecorino Cheese is hard and made from sheep milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Boursin Cheese?
Boursin is a French brand of soft, fresh Gournay-style cheese made from pasteurized cow's milk and cream with herbs mixed in. It spreads easily, crumbles a little, and is best known for its original garlic and fine herbs flavour.
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 Boursin Cheese and Pecorino Cheese?
- Origin: Boursin Cheese (France), Pecorino Cheese (Italy)
- Milk type: Boursin Cheese (Cow's milk), Pecorino Cheese (sheep's milk)
- Texture: Boursin Cheese (Soft and creamy), Pecorino Cheese (hard)
- Aging: Boursin Cheese (Fresh (not aged)), Pecorino Cheese (fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Boursin Cheese | Pecorino Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Normandy | Italy |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | — |
| Texture | Soft and creamy | Hard |
| Rind | None | — |
| Aging | Fresh (not aged) | Fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato |
| Taste | Garlic and herbs, pepper, or shallots and chive | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Boursin Cheese Taste Like Pecorino Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Boursin Cheese shows fresh, with added flavors like garlic, herbs, pepper, or shallots and chive, while Pecorino Cheese leans toward buttery, nutty, mild cream and milk. Aging plays into this as well. Boursin Cheese at fresh (not aged) develops a different profile than Pecorino Cheese at fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato.
Can You Substitute Boursin Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?
Boursin Cheese can stand in for Pecorino Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft and creamy bite and body where the recipe calls for hard.
Which Is Better, Boursin Cheese or Pecorino Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft and creamy cheese, go with Boursin Cheese. For a hard profile, Pecorino Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boursin Cheese the same as Pecorino Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Boursin Cheese originates in France, while Pecorino Cheese comes from Italy. Boursin Cheese is made from cow milk; Pecorino Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Boursin Cheese is typically aged fresh (not aged), Pecorino Cheese fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato.
Is Boursin Cheese similar to Pecorino Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Boursin Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Boursin Cheese taste like Pecorino Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Boursin Cheese made of?
Boursin Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using microbial rennet. It's typically aged fresh (not aged). It originates in France.
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, Boursin Cheese or Pecorino Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Boursin Cheese is soft and creamy, while Pecorino Cheese is hard.