Brunost Cheese vs Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese

Brunost Cheese is a semi-soft, whey cow and goat-milk cheese from Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy and made from cow milk.

What Is Brunost Cheese?

Brunost is a Norwegian whey product made by boiling whey with milk and cream until the milk sugars caramelize. It is brown, sweet and firm enough to slice, and it is eaten like cheese on sandwiches, crispbread and waffles.

What Is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio is a long-aged Parmigiano Reggiano, the hard granular cow's milk cheese of Parma and Reggio Emilia. It is dry and grainy, with the sharp, salty, savory taste that makes it a grating cheese.

What's the Difference Between Brunost Cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

• Milk type: Brunost Cheese (cow's and goat's milk), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (cow)
• Milk treatment: Brunost Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (raw)
• Texture: Brunost Cheese (semi-soft, whey), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (hard, dry and grainy)
• Taste: Brunost Cheese (caramel, sweet), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (sharp, salty and savory)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brunost Cheese Taste Like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

Brunost Cheese reads as caramel, sweet, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory character. More specifically, Brunost Cheese shows sweet, caramel-like, with a tang that is stronger in goat's milk versions, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese leans toward strong umami from a high glutamate content.

Can You Substitute Brunost Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

Brunost Cheese can stand in for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semi-soft, whey bite and body where the recipe calls for hard, dry and grainy. Flavor-wise, Brunost Cheese reads as caramel, sweet while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory notes.

Which Is Better, Brunost Cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-soft, whey cheese, go with Brunost Cheese. For a hard, dry and grainy profile, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brunost Cheese suits recipes that want caramel, sweet notes, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese fits dishes calling for sharp, salty and savory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brunost Cheese the same as Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brunost Cheese is made from cow and goat milk; Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese uses cow.

Is Brunost Cheese similar to Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brunost Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

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

Does Brunost Cheese taste like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

Brunost Cheese reads as caramel, sweet, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is sharp, salty and savory.

What is Brunost Cheese made of?

Brunost Cheese is made from cow and goat milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized). It's typically aged unaged, ready once packed and refrigerated. It originates in Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

What is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese made of?

Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal (calf) rennet.

Which should I choose, Brunost Cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brunost Cheese is semi-soft, whey, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy.