Caciocavallo Cheese vs Stawley Cheese
Caciocavallo Cheese is a firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Stawley Cheese is soft 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 Stawley Cheese?
Stawley is a soft cheese made from unpasteurized goat's milk in Somerset, England. It has a pale yellow color and a mold-ripened rind that contributes to its unique aroma of mushroom and nutty scents. The flavor profile of Stawley includes notes of caramel, floral, milky, and sweet, creating a pleasant and balanced taste experience. Its soft texture makes it easy to spread or enjoy on its own. Ideal for cheese boards, it pairs well with fresh bread or a light wine. This cheese reflects the traditional methods and quality of the region's cheesemaking.
What's the Difference Between Caciocavallo Cheese and Stawley Cheese?
- Origin: Caciocavallo Cheese (Italy), Stawley Cheese (England, Great Britain and United Kingdom)
- Milk type: Caciocavallo Cheese (cow's milk), Stawley Cheese (goat's milk)
- Texture: Caciocavallo Cheese (Firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly), Stawley Cheese (soft)
- Rind: Caciocavallo Cheese (Smooth, thickens with age), Stawley Cheese (mold ripened)
- Taste: Caciocavallo Cheese (Slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex), Stawley Cheese (caramel, floral, milky, sweet)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Caciocavallo Cheese | Stawley Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | England, Great Britain And United Kingdom |
| Specific Origin | Apennine Mountain Range | Stawley, Near Wellington, Somerset |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Goat's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly | Soft |
| Rind | Smooth, thickens with age | Mold ripened |
| Aging | 2 to 12 months, up to 5 years | — |
| Taste | Slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex | Caramel, floral, milky, sweet |
Taste Comparison: Does Caciocavallo Cheese Taste Like Stawley Cheese?
Caciocavallo Cheese reads as slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex, while Stawley Cheese brings caramel, floral, milky, sweet character. On the nose, Caciocavallo Cheese offers earthy, contrasted with Stawley Cheese's mushroom, nutty.
Can You Substitute Caciocavallo Cheese for Stawley Cheese?
Caciocavallo Cheese can stand in for Stawley 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. Flavor-wise, Caciocavallo Cheese reads as slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex while Stawley Cheese brings caramel, floral, milky, sweet notes.
Which Is Better, Caciocavallo Cheese or Stawley 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 profile, Stawley Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Caciocavallo Cheese suits recipes that want slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex notes, while Stawley Cheese fits dishes calling for caramel, floral, milky, sweet.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Caciocavallo Cheese the same as Stawley Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Caciocavallo Cheese originates in Italy, while Stawley Cheese comes from England, Great Britain and United Kingdom. Caciocavallo Cheese is made from cow milk; Stawley Cheese uses goat.
Is Caciocavallo Cheese similar to Stawley Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Caciocavallo Cheese for Stawley Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Caciocavallo Cheese taste like Stawley Cheese?
Caciocavallo Cheese reads as slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex, while Stawley Cheese is caramel, floral, milky, sweet. Aromas also diverge. Caciocavallo Cheese leans earthy, and Stawley Cheese is closer to mushroom, nutty.
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 Stawley Cheese made of?
Stawley Cheese is made from goat milk (unpasteurized). It originates in England, Great Britain and United Kingdom.
Which should I choose, Caciocavallo Cheese or Stawley Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Caciocavallo Cheese is firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly, while Stawley Cheese is soft.