Bread Cheese vs Pecorino Cheese
Bread Cheese
Pecorino Cheese
Bread Cheese is a squeaky cow or goat-milk cheese from Finland, while Pecorino Cheese is hard and made from sheep milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Bread Cheese?
Bread cheese, or leipäjuusto, is a Finnish fresh cheese traditionally made from cow's colostrum and baked until the surface browns. It has a mild flavor, squeaks against the teeth, and is usually eaten in slices with coffee.
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 Bread Cheese and Pecorino Cheese?
- Origin: Bread Cheese (Finland), Pecorino Cheese (Italy)
- Milk type: Bread Cheese (cow, goat), Pecorino Cheese (sheep's milk)
- Texture: Bread Cheese (squeaky), Pecorino Cheese (hard)
- Aging: Bread Cheese (fresh), Pecorino Cheese (fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Bread Cheese | Pecorino Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Finland | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Southern Ostrobothnia, Northern Finland And Kainuu, Finland | Italy |
| Milk Type | Cow, goat | Sheep's milk |
| Texture | Squeaky | Hard |
| Aging | Fresh | Fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato |
| Taste | Mild | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Bread Cheese Taste Like Pecorino Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Bread Cheese at fresh develops a different profile than Pecorino Cheese at fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato.
Can You Substitute Bread Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?
Bread Cheese can stand in for Pecorino Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect squeaky bite and body where the recipe calls for hard.
Which Is Better, Bread Cheese or Pecorino Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a squeaky cheese, go with Bread Cheese. For a hard profile, Pecorino Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bread Cheese the same as Pecorino Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Bread Cheese originates in Finland, while Pecorino Cheese comes from Italy. Bread Cheese is made from cow or goat milk; Pecorino Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Bread Cheese is typically aged fresh, Pecorino Cheese fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato.
Is Bread Cheese similar to Pecorino Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Bread Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Bread Cheese taste like Pecorino Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Bread Cheese made of?
Bread Cheese is made from cow or goat milk. It's typically aged fresh. It originates in Finland.
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, Bread Cheese or Pecorino Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Bread Cheese is squeaky, while Pecorino Cheese is hard.