Caciocavallo Cheese vs Farmstead Cheese
Caciocavallo Cheese is a firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Farmstead Cheese is a cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo-milk cheese.
What Is Caciocavallo Cheese?
Caciocavallo is a stretched-curd cheese from southern Italy, made with sheep's or cow's milk and shaped like a teardrop. It has a hard edible rind and tastes much like the aged provolone of the same region.
What Is Farmstead Cheese?
Farmstead cheese, called farmhouse cheese in Europe, is made on the same farm that produced the milk. No outside milk is allowed, so each one tastes like the herd and land behind it.
What's the Difference Between Caciocavallo Cheese and Farmstead Cheese?
- Milk type: Caciocavallo Cheese (cow's milk), Farmstead Cheese (cow, goat, sheep, sometimes water buffalo)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Caciocavallo Cheese | Farmstead Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | — |
| Specific Origin | Apennine Mountain Range | Europe And North America |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow, goat, sheep, sometimes water buffalo |
| Texture | Firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly | — |
| Rind | Smooth, thickens with age | — |
| Aging | 2 to 12 months, up to 5 years | — |
| Taste | Slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Caciocavallo Cheese Taste Like Farmstead Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Caciocavallo Cheese for Farmstead Cheese?
Caciocavallo Cheese can stand in for Farmstead Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Caciocavallo Cheese or Farmstead Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Caciocavallo Cheese the same as Farmstead Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Caciocavallo Cheese is made from cow milk; Farmstead Cheese uses cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo.
Is Caciocavallo Cheese similar to Farmstead Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Caciocavallo Cheese for Farmstead Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Caciocavallo Cheese taste like Farmstead Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Caciocavallo Cheese made of?
Caciocavallo Cheese is made from cow milk. It's typically aged 2 to 12 months, up to 5 years. It originates in Italy.
What is Farmstead Cheese made of?
Farmstead Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk.
Which should I choose, Caciocavallo Cheese or Farmstead Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.