, then select "Add to Home Screen" to get instant access.
Log In
Explore
Cheeses
Cheesemakers
Types
Pairings
Cheese Map
Free Tools
Brie Cheese vs Pecorino Romano Cheese
Brie Cheese
Pecorino Romano Cheese
In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Brie Cheese and Pecorino Romano Cheese, including:
- "What is the difference between Brie Cheese and Pecorino Romano Cheese?"
- "Is Brie Cheese and Pecorino Romano Cheese the same?"
- "How does Brie Cheese compare to Pecorino Romano Cheese cheese?"
- "How does the taste of Brie Cheese compare to Pecorino Romano Cheese?"
- "Is Brie Cheese or Pecorino Romano Cheese better?"
Brie Cheese Overview
Brie is a soft cheese named after the French region from which it originated. It’s famous for its creamy interior and edible white rind. Brie has a rich, buttery flavor with hints of mushrooms and almonds. It’s often served at room temperature on cheese platters or used in cooking for its ability to add depth and creaminess to recipes.
Pecorino Romano Cheese Overview
Pecorino Romano is one of the most ancient types of cheese and a staple in Italian cuisine. Made from sheep's milk, it is salty and sharp, traditionally used grated over pasta dishes, incorporated into sauces, or eaten on its own with a drizzle of honey. Pecorino Romano is predominantly produced in the regions of Lazio, Sardinia, and Tuscany.
Comparing the Two Cheeses
Country of Origin
Brie Cheese comes from France. Pecorino Romano Cheese originated from Italy.
Certification
Many cheeses have some kind of protected status that makes it so they can only be produced in a certain manner and location. Brie is not a protected cheese. Pecorino Romano Cheese has a PDO (1996), DOP (1996).
Milk Type and Treatment
Brie Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically raw or pasteurized. Pecorino Romano Cheese is made with sheep milk.
Composition and Texture
Brie's texture can be described as "soft". Pecorino Romano Cheese has a fat content of ~36%. Pecorino Romano's texture can be described as "hard".
Taste and Aroma
Brie Cheese has a nutty, mushroom taste. Pecorino Romano Cheese has a sharp, salty taste. Pecorino Romano's aroma can be described as "strong".
Appearance and Aging
Brie Cheese's appearance is colored white . Pecorino Romano Cheese has a color of white interior, pale yellow to brown/black rind , comes in wheels, 49–71 lbs, 12–13" high, 11–12" wide and has an aging period of 5–8 months or longer .
Rind and Rennet Type
Brie Cheese's rind is described as bloomy and uses animal rennet. Pecorino Romano Cheese's rind is described as pale yellow to brown or black , with rennet rennet.
Ranking
Brie is ranked #5 out of 996 types based on community views. Pecorino Romano is ranked #75 out of 996 types based on community views.
Pairing Comparison
| Brie | Pecorino Romano | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Apples, Apricot, Asian Pear, Asti Spumante, Beaujolais, Belgian Blonde, Bresaola, Cabernet Franc, California Viogniers, Cava, Champagne, Crackers, Dried Cranberries, Dried Fruit, Fig Jam, Fruit Compote, Gamay, Ginger, Grapes, Hard Cider, Honey, Honeycomb, Kombucha, Mangoes, Merlot, Mushrooms, Pear, Pecans, Pistachios, Port, Prosecco, Raspberry, Sparkling Rosé, Strawberries, Turkey, Viognier, White Burgundy | Olives |
| Other Good Pairings | Almonds, Bordeaux, Burgundy Red, Dijon Mustard, Dried Figs, German Riesling, Green Apple, Green Tea, GrĂĽner Veltliner, Ham, Kiwi, Muscat, Prosciutto, Pumpkin, Roasted Vegetables, Salmon, Scotch, Sweet Potato | Amaro, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Pistachios |
For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Brie and Pecorino Romano pages.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Brie Cheese | Pecorino Romano Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Brie | Lazio, Sardinia, Grosseto |
| Certification | Not Specified | PDO (1996), DOP (1996) |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw, Pasteurized | Not Specified |
| Fat Content | Not Specified | ~36% |
| Rind | Bloomy | Pale yellow to brown or black |
| Texture | Soft | Hard |
| Taste | Nutty, Mushroom | Sharp, salty |
| Aroma | Not Specified | Strong |
| Colors | White | White interior, pale yellow to brown/black rind |
| Forms | Not Specified | Wheels, 49–71 lbs, 12–13" high, 11–12" wide |
| Age | Not Specified | 5–8 months or longer |
| Rennet Type | Animal | Rennet |
Which One Should You Choose?
If you prefer a soft cheese, go for Brie. But if you enjoy a hard consistency, Pecorino Romano might be the better pick. Brie has a nutty, mushroom taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Pecorino Romano offers a sharp, salty profile, ideal for different meals.
