Caciocavallo Cheese vs Pecorino Toscano Cheese

Q: Is Caciocavallo Cheese the same as Pecorino Toscano Cheese?

No. Caciocavallo Cheese and Pecorino Toscano Cheese are distinct cheeses. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Caciocavallo Cheese for Pecorino Toscano Cheese?

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

Q: Which should I choose, Caciocavallo Cheese or Pecorino Toscano 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

Pecorino Toscano Cheese

Caciocavallo Cheese is a firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Pecorino Toscano Cheese is soft or semihard and made from sheep milk, originating in Italy.

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 Pecorino Toscano Cheese?

Pecorino toscano is a firm sheep's milk cheese from Tuscany that has held PDO status since 1996. It is the third most produced sheep's milk cheese in Italy, behind pecorino romano and pecorino sardo.

What's the Difference Between Caciocavallo Cheese and Pecorino Toscano Cheese?

Milk type: Caciocavallo Cheese (cow's milk), Pecorino Toscano Cheese (Sheep's milk)
Texture: Caciocavallo Cheese (Firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly), Pecorino Toscano Cheese (Soft or Semihard)
Rind: Caciocavallo Cheese (Smooth, thickens with age), Pecorino Toscano Cheese (Straw-colored)
Aging: Caciocavallo Cheese (2 to 12 months, up to 5 years), Pecorino Toscano Cheese (At least 20 days (soft), Four months (semihard))
Taste: Caciocavallo Cheese (Slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex), Pecorino Toscano Cheese (Fragrant)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Caciocavallo Cheese	Pecorino Toscano Cheese
Country of Origin	Italy	Italy
Specific Origin	Apennine Mountain Range	Tuscany, Some Municipalities Of Umbria And Lazio
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Sheep's milk
Milk Treatment	—	Raw or pasteurized
Texture	Firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly	Soft or Semihard
Rind	Smooth, thickens with age	Straw-colored
Aging	2 to 12 months, up to 5 years	At least 20 days (soft), Four months (semihard)
Taste	Slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex	Fragrant

Taste Comparison: Does Caciocavallo Cheese Taste Like Pecorino Toscano Cheese?

Caciocavallo Cheese reads as slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex, while Pecorino Toscano Cheese brings fragrant character. Aging plays into this as well. Caciocavallo Cheese at 2 to 12 months, up to 5 years develops a different profile than Pecorino Toscano Cheese at at least 20 days (soft), four months (semihard).

Can You Substitute Caciocavallo Cheese for Pecorino Toscano Cheese?

Caciocavallo Cheese can stand in for Pecorino Toscano 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 soft or semihard. Flavor-wise, Caciocavallo Cheese reads as slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex while Pecorino Toscano Cheese brings fragrant notes.

Which Is Better, Caciocavallo Cheese or Pecorino Toscano 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 soft or semihard profile, Pecorino Toscano Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Caciocavallo Cheese suits recipes that want slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex notes, while Pecorino Toscano Cheese fits dishes calling for fragrant.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Caciocavallo Cheese the same as Pecorino Toscano Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Caciocavallo Cheese is made from cow milk; Pecorino Toscano Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Caciocavallo Cheese is typically aged 2 to 12 months, up to 5 years, Pecorino Toscano Cheese at least 20 days (soft), four months (semihard).

Is Caciocavallo Cheese similar to Pecorino Toscano Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Caciocavallo Cheese for Pecorino Toscano Cheese?

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

Does Caciocavallo Cheese taste like Pecorino Toscano Cheese?

Caciocavallo Cheese reads as slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex, while Pecorino Toscano Cheese is fragrant.

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 Pecorino Toscano Cheese made of?

Pecorino Toscano Cheese is made from sheep milk (raw or pasteurized), using calf rennet. It's typically aged at least 20 days (soft), four months (semihard). It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Caciocavallo Cheese or Pecorino Toscano Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Caciocavallo Cheese is firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly, while Pecorino Toscano Cheese is soft or semihard.