Caciocavallo Cheese vs Old Ford Cheese

Q: Is Caciocavallo Cheese the same as Old Ford Cheese?

No. Caciocavallo Cheese and Old Ford Cheese are distinct cheeses from Italy and England, Great Britain and United Kingdom respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Caciocavallo Cheese for Old Ford Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Caciocavallo Cheese for Old Ford Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Which should I choose, Caciocavallo Cheese or Old Ford Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Caciocavallo Cheese is a firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Old Ford Cheese is semi-hard, artisan and made from goat milk, originating in England, Great Britain and United Kingdom.

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 Old Ford Cheese?

Old Ford is an artisan cheese made from unpasteurized goat's milk in Timsbury, Somerset, England. It has a semi-hard texture, making it a sturdy cheese with a satisfying bite. The flavor profile of Old Ford is a mix of buttery, citrusy, floral, salty, and savory notes, providing a refreshing yet rich taste experience. Its aroma carries barnyardy, floral, and goaty scents, adding to its rustic charm. The cheese is ivory in color, with a natural rind that adds character to its appearance. Suitable for cheese boards or paired with light wines, Old Ford is a versatile choice for various culinary applications.

What's the Difference Between Caciocavallo Cheese and Old Ford Cheese?

Origin: Caciocavallo Cheese (Italy), Old Ford Cheese (England, Great Britain and United Kingdom)
Milk type: Caciocavallo Cheese (cow's milk), Old Ford Cheese (goat's milk)
Texture: Caciocavallo Cheese (Firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly), Old Ford Cheese (semi-hard, artisan)
Rind: Caciocavallo Cheese (Smooth, thickens with age), Old Ford Cheese (natural)
Taste: Caciocavallo Cheese (Slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex), Old Ford Cheese (buttery, citrusy, floral, salty, savory)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Caciocavallo Cheese	Old Ford Cheese
Country of Origin	Italy	England, Great Britain And United Kingdom
Specific Origin	Apennine Mountain Range	Timsbury, Somerset
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Goat's milk
Milk Treatment	—	Unpasteurized
Texture	Firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly	Semi-hard, artisan
Rind	Smooth, thickens with age	Natural
Aging	2 to 12 months, up to 5 years	—
Taste	Slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex	Buttery, citrusy, floral, salty, savory

Taste Comparison: Does Caciocavallo Cheese Taste Like Old Ford Cheese?

Caciocavallo Cheese reads as slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex, while Old Ford Cheese brings buttery, citrusy, floral, salty, savory character. On the nose, Caciocavallo Cheese offers earthy, contrasted with Old Ford Cheese's barnyardy, floral, goaty.

Can You Substitute Caciocavallo Cheese for Old Ford Cheese?

Caciocavallo Cheese can stand in for Old Ford Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard, artisan. Flavor-wise, Caciocavallo Cheese reads as slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex while Old Ford Cheese brings buttery, citrusy, floral, salty, savory notes.

Which Is Better, Caciocavallo Cheese or Old Ford Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly cheese, go with Caciocavallo Cheese. For a semi-hard, artisan profile, Old Ford Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Caciocavallo Cheese suits recipes that want slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex notes, while Old Ford Cheese fits dishes calling for buttery, citrusy, floral, salty, savory.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Caciocavallo Cheese the same as Old Ford Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Caciocavallo Cheese originates in Italy, while Old Ford Cheese comes from England, Great Britain and United Kingdom. Caciocavallo Cheese is made from cow milk; Old Ford Cheese uses goat.

Is Caciocavallo Cheese similar to Old Ford Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Caciocavallo Cheese for Old Ford Cheese?

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

Does Caciocavallo Cheese taste like Old Ford Cheese?

Caciocavallo Cheese reads as slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex, while Old Ford Cheese is buttery, citrusy, floral, salty, savory. Aromas also diverge. Caciocavallo Cheese leans earthy, and Old Ford Cheese is closer to barnyardy, floral, goaty.

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 Old Ford Cheese made of?

Old Ford Cheese is made from goat milk (unpasteurized). It originates in England, Great Britain and United Kingdom.

Which should I choose, Caciocavallo Cheese or Old Ford Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Caciocavallo Cheese is firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly, while Old Ford Cheese is semi-hard, artisan.