Canestrato Pugliese Cheese vs Saint-Nectaire Cheese

Q: Is Canestrato Pugliese Cheese the same as Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

No. Canestrato Pugliese Cheese and Saint-Nectaire Cheese are distinct cheeses from Italy and France respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Canestrato Pugliese Cheese for Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Canestrato Pugliese Cheese for Saint-Nectaire Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Which should I choose, Canestrato Pugliese Cheese or Saint-Nectaire 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.

Canestrato Pugliese Cheese is a compact, friable sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese is soft and tender and made from cow milk, originating in France.

What Is Canestrato Pugliese Cheese?

Canestrato Pugliese is a hard cheese from the province of Foggia in Puglia and holds PDO status. It belongs to the Canestrato family, a group of southern Italian hard cheeses made from a mixture of sheep and goat milk.

What Is Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

Saint-Nectaire is a pressed cow's milk cheese from the volcanic hills around the Monts-Dore in Auvergne, France. It ages on rye straw for at least 28 days and is known for its soft, creamy paste and hint of hazelnut.

What's the Difference Between Canestrato Pugliese Cheese and Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

Origin: Canestrato Pugliese Cheese (Italy), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (France)
Milk type: Canestrato Pugliese Cheese (Ewe's Milk), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Cow’s milk (Holstein, Montbéliarde, sometimes Salers))
Milk treatment: Canestrato Pugliese Cheese (Raw, whole), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Raw for fermier, pasteurized for laitier)
Texture: Canestrato Pugliese Cheese (Compact, friable), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Soft and tender)
Rind: Canestrato Pugliese Cheese (Brownish-yellow, wrinkled), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Washed-rind)
Aging: Canestrato Pugliese Cheese (2 to 10 months), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (At least twenty-eight days)
Taste: Canestrato Pugliese Cheese (Spicy), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Delicate hazelnut)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Canestrato Pugliese Cheese	Saint-Nectaire Cheese
Country of Origin	Italy	France
Specific Origin	Province Of Foggia, Some Municipalities Of Bari, Apulia	Massif Du Sancy, Auvergne
Milk Type	Ewe's Milk	Cow’s milk (Holstein, Montbéliarde, sometimes Salers)
Milk Treatment	Raw, whole	Raw for fermier, pasteurized for laitier
Texture	Compact, friable	Soft and tender
Rind	Brownish-yellow, wrinkled	Washed-rind
Aging	2 to 10 months	At least twenty-eight days
Taste	Spicy	Delicate hazelnut

Taste Comparison: Does Canestrato Pugliese Cheese Taste Like Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

Canestrato Pugliese Cheese reads as spicy, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese brings delicate hazelnut character. More specifically, Canestrato Pugliese Cheese shows spicy taste, straw-colored paste, compact and friable texture, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese leans toward nutty. Aging plays into this as well. Canestrato Pugliese Cheese at 2 to 10 months develops a different profile than Saint-Nectaire Cheese at at least twenty-eight days.

Can You Substitute Canestrato Pugliese Cheese for Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

Canestrato Pugliese Cheese can stand in for Saint-Nectaire Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect compact, friable bite and body where the recipe calls for soft and tender. Flavor-wise, Canestrato Pugliese Cheese reads as spicy while Saint-Nectaire Cheese brings delicate hazelnut notes.

Which Is Better, Canestrato Pugliese Cheese or Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a compact, friable cheese, go with Canestrato Pugliese Cheese. For a soft and tender profile, Saint-Nectaire Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Canestrato Pugliese Cheese suits recipes that want spicy notes, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese fits dishes calling for delicate hazelnut.

Which is your favorite?

One click, anonymous. See what others chose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Canestrato Pugliese Cheese the same as Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Canestrato Pugliese Cheese originates in Italy, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese comes from France. Canestrato Pugliese Cheese is made from sheep milk; Saint-Nectaire Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Canestrato Pugliese Cheese is typically aged 2 to 10 months, Saint-Nectaire Cheese at least twenty-eight days.

Is Canestrato Pugliese Cheese similar to Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Canestrato Pugliese Cheese for Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

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

Does Canestrato Pugliese Cheese taste like Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

Canestrato Pugliese Cheese reads as spicy, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese is delicate hazelnut.

What is Canestrato Pugliese Cheese made of?

Canestrato Pugliese Cheese is made from sheep milk (raw, whole), using lamb rennet. It's typically aged 2 to 10 months. It originates in Italy.

What is Saint-Nectaire Cheese made of?

Saint-Nectaire Cheese is made from cow milk (raw for fermier, pasteurized for laitier). It's typically aged at least twenty-eight days. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Canestrato Pugliese Cheese or Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Canestrato Pugliese Cheese is compact, friable, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese is soft and tender.