Caciocavallo Cheese vs Washed Rind Cheese

Caciocavallo Cheese is a firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Washed Rind Cheese is soft to hard.

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 Washed Rind Cheese?

Washed-rind cheese, also called smear-ripened, is cured over and over with brine or mold-bearing agents as it ripens. That feeds Brevibacterium linens on the surface, which gives the cheese its pungent smell, firm rind and distinctive flavor.

What's the Difference Between Caciocavallo Cheese and Washed Rind Cheese?

• Texture: Caciocavallo Cheese (Firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly), Washed Rind Cheese (soft to hard)
• Rind: Caciocavallo Cheese (Smooth, thickens with age), Washed Rind Cheese (washed, firm)
• Taste: Caciocavallo Cheese (Slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex), Washed Rind Cheese (pungent, distinctive)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Caciocavallo Cheese Taste Like Washed Rind Cheese?

Caciocavallo Cheese reads as slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex, while Washed Rind Cheese brings pungent, distinctive character. On the nose, Caciocavallo Cheese offers earthy, contrasted with Washed Rind Cheese's pungent.

Can You Substitute Caciocavallo Cheese for Washed Rind Cheese?

Caciocavallo Cheese can stand in for Washed Rind 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 to hard. Flavor-wise, Caciocavallo Cheese reads as slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex while Washed Rind Cheese brings pungent, distinctive notes.

Which Is Better, Caciocavallo Cheese or Washed Rind 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 to hard profile, Washed Rind Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Caciocavallo Cheese suits recipes that want slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex notes, while Washed Rind Cheese fits dishes calling for pungent, distinctive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Caciocavallo Cheese the same as Washed Rind Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses.

Is Caciocavallo Cheese similar to Washed Rind Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Caciocavallo Cheese for Washed Rind Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Caciocavallo Cheese taste like Washed Rind Cheese?

Caciocavallo Cheese reads as slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex, while Washed Rind Cheese is pungent, distinctive. Aromas also diverge. Caciocavallo Cheese leans earthy, and Washed Rind Cheese is closer to pungent.

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 Washed Rind Cheese made of?

Washed Rind Cheese is made from milk.

Which should I choose, Caciocavallo Cheese or Washed Rind Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Caciocavallo Cheese is firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly, while Washed Rind Cheese is soft to hard.