Caciocavallo Cheese vs Glarner Alpkäse Cheese
Caciocavallo Cheese
Glarner Alpkäse Cheese
Caciocavallo Cheese is a firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Glarner Alpkäse Cheese is a cow-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 Glarner Alpkäse Cheese?
Glarner Alpkäse is a Swiss raw cow's milk cheese made on the alpine pastures of Glarus during the summer grazing season. The wheels have no holes and reach the market in mild, spicy and sharp grades. It has held AOP protection since 2014.
What's the Difference Between Caciocavallo Cheese and Glarner Alpkäse Cheese?
- Rind: Caciocavallo Cheese (Smooth, thickens with age), Glarner Alpkäse Cheese (natural, formed in a salt bath)
- Taste: Caciocavallo Cheese (Slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex), Glarner Alpkäse Cheese (mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Caciocavallo Cheese | Glarner Alpkäse Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | — |
| Specific Origin | Apennine Mountain Range | Glarus, Switzerland |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | — | Raw |
| Texture | Firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly | — |
| Rind | Smooth, thickens with age | Natural, formed in a salt bath |
| Aging | 2 to 12 months, up to 5 years | — |
| Taste | Slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex | Mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening |
Taste Comparison: Does Caciocavallo Cheese Taste Like Glarner Alpkäse Cheese?
Caciocavallo Cheese reads as slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex, while Glarner Alpkäse Cheese brings mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening character.
Can You Substitute Caciocavallo Cheese for Glarner Alpkäse Cheese?
In most recipes, Caciocavallo Cheese and Glarner Alpkäse Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Flavor-wise, Caciocavallo Cheese reads as slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex while Glarner Alpkäse Cheese brings mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening notes.
Which Is Better, Caciocavallo Cheese or Glarner Alpkäse Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. Flavor-wise, Caciocavallo Cheese suits recipes that want slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex notes, while Glarner Alpkäse Cheese fits dishes calling for mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Caciocavallo Cheese the same as Glarner Alpkäse Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses.
Is Caciocavallo Cheese similar to Glarner Alpkäse Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Caciocavallo Cheese for Glarner Alpkäse Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in flavor and finish.
Does Caciocavallo Cheese taste like Glarner Alpkäse Cheese?
Caciocavallo Cheese reads as slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex, while Glarner Alpkäse Cheese is mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening.
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 Glarner Alpkäse Cheese made of?
Glarner Alpkäse Cheese is made from cow milk (raw).
Which should I choose, Caciocavallo Cheese or Glarner Alpkäse Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.