Chaumes Cheese vs Pecorino Cheese
Chaumes Cheese
Pecorino Cheese
Chaumes Cheese is a soft, creamy, soft-ripened, washed-rind cow-milk cheese from France, while Pecorino Cheese is hard and made from sheep milk, originating in Italy.
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What Is Chaumes Cheese?
Chaumes is a cow's milk cheese from Saint-Antoine-de-Breuilh in the Périgord, south west France, built on traditional Trappist-style cheesemaking. It is known for its bright tangerine-orange washed rind, full-bodied flavour and smooth, faintly rubbery texture.
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 Chaumes Cheese and Pecorino Cheese?
- Origin: Chaumes Cheese (France), Pecorino Cheese (Italy)
- Milk type: Chaumes Cheese (Cow's milk), Pecorino Cheese (Sheep's milk)
- Texture: Chaumes Cheese (Soft, creamy, soft-ripened, washed-rind), Pecorino Cheese (Hard)
- Aging: Chaumes Cheese (4 weeks), Pecorino Cheese (fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Chaumes Cheese | Pecorino Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Italy |
| Specific Origin | St Antoine | Italy |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | — |
| Texture | Soft, creamy, soft-ripened, washed-rind | Hard |
| Rind | Washed | — |
| Aging | 4 weeks | Fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato |
| Taste | Full-flavored, nutty | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Chaumes Cheese Taste Like Pecorino Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Chaumes Cheese shows rich and full-bodied, while Pecorino Cheese leans toward buttery, nutty, mild cream and milk. Aging plays into this as well. Chaumes Cheese at 4 weeks develops a different profile than Pecorino Cheese at fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato.
Can You Substitute Chaumes Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?
Chaumes Cheese can stand in for Pecorino Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, creamy, soft-ripened, washed-rind bite and body where the recipe calls for hard.
Which Is Better, Chaumes Cheese or Pecorino Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, creamy, soft-ripened, washed-rind cheese, go with Chaumes Cheese. For a hard profile, Pecorino Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chaumes Cheese the same as Pecorino Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Chaumes Cheese originates in France, while Pecorino Cheese comes from Italy. Chaumes Cheese is made from cow milk; Pecorino Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Chaumes Cheese is typically aged 4 weeks, Pecorino Cheese fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato.
Is Chaumes Cheese similar to Pecorino Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Chaumes Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Chaumes Cheese taste like Pecorino Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Chaumes Cheese made of?
Chaumes Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 4 weeks. It originates in France.
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, Chaumes Cheese or Pecorino Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Chaumes Cheese is soft, creamy, soft-ripened, washed-rind, while Pecorino Cheese is hard.