Cacioricotta Cheese vs Pecorino Cheese
Cacioricotta Cheese
Pecorino Cheese
Cacioricotta Cheese is a cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Pecorino Cheese is hard and made from sheep milk, originating in Italy.
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What Is Cacioricotta Cheese?
Cacioricotta is a southern Italian cheese from Basilicata, Apulia and Calabria, usually made with sheep or goat milk. Its name comes from the hybrid method behind it, which borrows steps from both ricotta and hard cheese making.
What Is Pecorino Cheese?
Pecorino is an Italian hard cheese made from sheep's milk, and its name comes from pecora, the Italian word for sheep. Six main varieties carry PDO status, with Pecorino Romano the best known outside Italy.
What's the Difference Between Cacioricotta Cheese and Pecorino Cheese?
- Milk type: Cacioricotta Cheese (Goat's or sheep's milk, sometimes with cow's milk), Pecorino Cheese (Sheep's milk)
- Aging: Cacioricotta Cheese (Fresh or 3 to 6 months), Pecorino Cheese (fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cacioricotta Cheese | Pecorino Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Basilicata, Calabria, Puglia, Campania | Italy |
| Milk Type | Goat's or sheep's milk, sometimes with cow's milk | Sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Heated | — |
| Texture | — | Hard |
| Rind | None when fresh, straw-color when aged | — |
| Aging | Fresh or 3 to 6 months | Fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato |
| Taste | Sweet to salty, spicy | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Cacioricotta Cheese Taste Like Pecorino Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Cacioricotta Cheese shows fresh: cooked milk aroma, sweet ricotta flavor; aged: salty, spicy with goat hints, while Pecorino Cheese leans toward buttery, nutty, mild cream and milk. Aging plays into this as well. Cacioricotta Cheese at fresh or 3 to 6 months develops a different profile than Pecorino Cheese at fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato.
Can You Substitute Cacioricotta Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?
Cacioricotta Cheese can stand in for Pecorino Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Cacioricotta Cheese or Pecorino Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cacioricotta Cheese the same as Pecorino Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Cacioricotta Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Pecorino Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Cacioricotta Cheese is typically aged fresh or 3 to 6 months, Pecorino Cheese fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato.
Is Cacioricotta Cheese similar to Pecorino Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Cacioricotta Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Cacioricotta Cheese taste like Pecorino Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Cacioricotta Cheese made of?
Cacioricotta Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (heated), using added after cooling to 38 to 40°c rennet. It's typically aged fresh or 3 to 6 months. It originates in Italy.
What is Pecorino Cheese made of?
Pecorino Cheese is made from sheep milk. It's typically aged fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Cacioricotta Cheese or Pecorino Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.