Casciotta d'Urbino Cheese vs Pecorino Cheese
Casciotta d'Urbino Cheese is a soft, crumbly cow and sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Pecorino Cheese is hard and made from sheep milk, originating in Italy.
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What Is Casciotta d'Urbino Cheese?
Casciotta d'Urbino is a caciotta cheese from the province of Pesaro and Urbino in Italy's Marche region. It mixes 70 to 80 percent sheep's milk with 20 to 30 percent cow's milk.
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 Casciotta d'Urbino Cheese and Pecorino Cheese?
- Milk type: Casciotta d'Urbino Cheese (Sheep's and cow's milk), Pecorino Cheese (Sheep's milk)
- Texture: Casciotta d'Urbino Cheese (Soft, crumbly), Pecorino Cheese (Hard)
- Aging: Casciotta d'Urbino Cheese (20 to 30 days), Pecorino Cheese (fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Casciotta d'Urbino Cheese | Pecorino Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Province Of Pesaro And Urbino, Marche, Italy | Italy |
| Milk Type | Sheep's and cow's milk | Sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | — |
| Texture | Soft, crumbly | Hard |
| Rind | Thin (1mm) | — |
| Aging | 20 to 30 days | Fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato |
| Taste | Sweet | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Casciotta d'Urbino Cheese Taste Like Pecorino Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Casciotta d'Urbino Cheese shows straw-white color, small holes, sweet taste, while Pecorino Cheese leans toward buttery, nutty, mild cream and milk. Aging plays into this as well. Casciotta d'Urbino Cheese at 20 to 30 days develops a different profile than Pecorino Cheese at fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato.
Can You Substitute Casciotta d'Urbino Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?
Casciotta d'Urbino Cheese can stand in for Pecorino Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, crumbly bite and body where the recipe calls for hard.
Which Is Better, Casciotta d'Urbino Cheese or Pecorino Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, crumbly cheese, go with Casciotta d'Urbino Cheese. For a hard profile, Pecorino Cheese is the better fit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Casciotta d'Urbino Cheese the same as Pecorino Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Casciotta d'Urbino Cheese is made from cow and sheep milk; Pecorino Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Casciotta d'Urbino Cheese is typically aged 20 to 30 days, Pecorino Cheese fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato.
Is Casciotta d'Urbino Cheese similar to Pecorino Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Casciotta d'Urbino Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Casciotta d'Urbino Cheese taste like Pecorino Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Casciotta d'Urbino Cheese made of?
Casciotta d'Urbino Cheese is made from cow and sheep milk (raw), using liquid and/or powdered calf rennet. It's typically aged 20 to 30 days. 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, Casciotta d'Urbino Cheese or Pecorino Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Casciotta d'Urbino Cheese is soft, crumbly, while Pecorino Cheese is hard.