Brocciu Cheese vs Metsovone Cheese

Brocciu Cheese is a soft, creamy goat or sheep-milk cheese from France, while Metsovone Cheese is semihard to hard and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk, originating in Greece.

What Is Brocciu Cheese?

Brocciu is a Corsican cheese made from either sheep's or goat's milk whey, with some milk added. It is similar to ricotta but richer. Brocciu can be consumed fresh or used in various Corsican dishes, including desserts and savory pastries. It is appreciated for its light, creamy texture and mild, fresh flavor.

What Is Metsovone Cheese?

Metsovone is a smoked, semi-hard cheese from Metsovo in the Pindus mountains of Greece. Made from cow's milk or a mix of cow and sheep or goat milk, it is one of the few Greek cheeses that is smoked, giving it a distinctive flavor that is nutty and buttery with smokey undertones.

What's the Difference Between Brocciu Cheese and Metsovone Cheese?

• Origin: Brocciu Cheese (France), Metsovone Cheese (Greece)
• Milk type: Brocciu Cheese (goat's or sheep's milk), Metsovone Cheese (Cow's milk, Ewe's or Goat's milk)
• Milk treatment: Brocciu Cheese (pasteurized), Metsovone Cheese (Smoked)
• Texture: Brocciu Cheese (Soft, creamy), Metsovone Cheese (Semihard to hard)
• Rind: Brocciu Cheese (None), Metsovone Cheese (Waxed)
• Aging: Brocciu Cheese (Fresh or matured), Metsovone Cheese (3 months)
• Taste: Brocciu Cheese (Meltingly creamy, saltier when matured), Metsovone Cheese (Slightly salty and piquant)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brocciu Cheese Taste Like Metsovone Cheese?

Brocciu Cheese reads as meltingly creamy, saltier when matured, while Metsovone Cheese brings slightly salty and piquant character. On the nose, Brocciu Cheese offers delicious, contrasted with Metsovone Cheese's natural smoke. More specifically, Brocciu Cheese shows creamy, delicious aroma; becomes saltier and more intense when matured, while Metsovone Cheese leans toward smoked cheese resembling italian provolone with a special smoked perfume. Aging plays into this as well. Brocciu Cheese at fresh or matured develops a different profile than Metsovone Cheese at 3 months.

Can You Substitute Brocciu Cheese for Metsovone Cheese?

Brocciu Cheese can stand in for Metsovone Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, creamy bite and body where the recipe calls for semihard to hard. Flavor-wise, Brocciu Cheese reads as meltingly creamy, saltier when matured while Metsovone Cheese brings slightly salty and piquant notes.

Which Is Better, Brocciu Cheese or Metsovone Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, creamy cheese, go with Brocciu Cheese. For a semihard to hard profile, Metsovone Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brocciu Cheese suits recipes that want meltingly creamy, saltier when matured notes, while Metsovone Cheese fits dishes calling for slightly salty and piquant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brocciu Cheese the same as Metsovone Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brocciu Cheese originates in France, while Metsovone Cheese comes from Greece. Brocciu Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk; Metsovone Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep. Aging also differs: Brocciu Cheese is typically aged fresh or matured, Metsovone Cheese 3 months.

Is Brocciu Cheese similar to Metsovone Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brocciu Cheese for Metsovone Cheese?

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

Does Brocciu Cheese taste like Metsovone Cheese?

Brocciu Cheese reads as meltingly creamy, saltier when matured, while Metsovone Cheese is slightly salty and piquant. Aromas also diverge. Brocciu Cheese leans delicious, and Metsovone Cheese is closer to natural smoke.

What is Brocciu Cheese made of?

Brocciu Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged fresh or matured. It originates in France.

What is Metsovone Cheese made of?

Metsovone Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (smoked). It's typically aged 3 months. It originates in Greece.

Which should I choose, Brocciu Cheese or Metsovone Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brocciu Cheese is soft, creamy, while Metsovone Cheese is semihard to hard.