Brunost Cheese vs Pecorino Cheese

Brunost Cheese is a semi-soft, whey cow and goat-milk cheese from Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, while Pecorino Cheese is hard and made from sheep milk, originating in Italy.

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 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 Brunost Cheese and Pecorino Cheese?

• Origin: Brunost Cheese (Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway and Sweden), Pecorino Cheese (Italy)
• Milk type: Brunost Cheese (cow's and goat's milk), Pecorino Cheese (sheep's milk)
• Texture: Brunost Cheese (semi-soft, whey), Pecorino Cheese (hard)
• Aging: Brunost Cheese (unaged, ready once packed and refrigerated), Pecorino Cheese (fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brunost Cheese Taste Like Pecorino Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Brunost Cheese shows sweet, caramel-like, with a tang that is stronger in goat's milk versions, while Pecorino Cheese leans toward buttery, nutty, mild cream and milk. Aging plays into this as well. Brunost Cheese at unaged, ready once packed and refrigerated develops a different profile than Pecorino Cheese at fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato.

Can You Substitute Brunost Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?

Brunost Cheese can stand in for Pecorino 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.

Which Is Better, Brunost Cheese or Pecorino 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 profile, Pecorino Cheese is the better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brunost Cheese the same as Pecorino Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brunost Cheese originates in Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, while Pecorino Cheese comes from Italy. Brunost Cheese is made from cow and goat milk; Pecorino Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Brunost Cheese is typically aged unaged, ready once packed and refrigerated, Pecorino Cheese fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato.

Is Brunost Cheese similar to Pecorino Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brunost Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?

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

Does Brunost Cheese taste like Pecorino Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.

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 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, Brunost Cheese or Pecorino Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brunost Cheese is semi-soft, whey, while Pecorino Cheese is hard.