Cheddar Cheese vs Pecorino Sardo Cheese
Cheddar Cheese
Pecorino Sardo Cheese
Cheddar Cheese is a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cow-milk cheese from England, while Pecorino Sardo Cheese is firm but springy and elastic for dolce, hard and grainy for maturo and made from sheep milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Cheddar Cheese?
Cheddar is a relatively hard, off-white to orange cow's milk cheese from the village of Cheddar in Somerset, South West England. The name is not protected, so it is made worldwide, and it is the UK's most popular cheese at 51% of the national cheese market.
What Is Pecorino Sardo Cheese?
Pecorino sardo is a firm sheep milk cheese from Sardinia, made with milk from the island's local Sarda sheep and curdled with calf's rennet. It comes in two versions: dolce, aged 20 to 60 days, and maturo, aged more than two months and sharper in taste.
What's the Difference Between Cheddar Cheese and Pecorino Sardo Cheese?
- Origin: Cheddar Cheese (England), Pecorino Sardo Cheese (Italy)
- Milk type: Cheddar Cheese (cow's milk), Pecorino Sardo Cheese (Sheep's Milk)
- Milk treatment: Cheddar Cheese (Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized), Pecorino Sardo Cheese (Pasteurized or Thermized)
- Texture: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)), Pecorino Sardo Cheese (Firm but springy and elastic for Dolce, Hard and grainy for Maturo)
- Rind: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)), Pecorino Sardo Cheese (Pale yellow to mahogany)
- Aging: Cheddar Cheese (A few months to several years), Pecorino Sardo Cheese (20 to 60 days for Dolce, At least 60 days for Maturo)
- Taste: Cheddar Cheese (Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory), Pecorino Sardo Cheese (Mild and sweet for Dolce, More piquant and pronounced in salt for Maturo)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cheddar Cheese | Pecorino Sardo Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | England | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester) | Sardinia |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Sheep's Milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized | Pasteurized or Thermized |
| Texture | Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) | Firm but springy and elastic for Dolce, Hard and grainy for Maturo |
| Rind | Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic) | Pale yellow to mahogany |
| Aging | A few months to several years | 20 to 60 days for Dolce, At least 60 days for Maturo |
| Taste | Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory | Mild and sweet for Dolce, More piquant and pronounced in salt for Maturo |
Taste Comparison: Does Cheddar Cheese Taste Like Pecorino Sardo Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Pecorino Sardo Cheese brings mild and sweet for dolce, more piquant and pronounced in salt for maturo character. More specifically, Cheddar Cheese shows from mild and buttery to brothy and savory, with distinctive sharpness; variations in sweetness and flavor depending on the producer, while Pecorino Sardo Cheese leans toward sharpness increases with longer maturation. Aging plays into this as well. Cheddar Cheese at a few months to several years develops a different profile than Pecorino Sardo Cheese at 20 to 60 days for dolce, at least 60 days for maturo.
Can You Substitute Cheddar Cheese for Pecorino Sardo Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese can stand in for Pecorino Sardo Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) bite and body where the recipe calls for firm but springy and elastic for dolce, hard and grainy for maturo. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory while Pecorino Sardo Cheese brings mild and sweet for dolce, more piquant and pronounced in salt for maturo notes.
Which Is Better, Cheddar Cheese or Pecorino Sardo Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cheese, go with Cheddar Cheese. For a firm but springy and elastic for dolce, hard and grainy for maturo profile, Pecorino Sardo Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese suits recipes that want mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory notes, while Pecorino Sardo Cheese fits dishes calling for mild and sweet for dolce, more piquant and pronounced in salt for maturo.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Pecorino Sardo Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Cheddar Cheese originates in England, while Pecorino Sardo Cheese comes from Italy. Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk; Pecorino Sardo Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Cheddar Cheese is typically aged a few months to several years, Pecorino Sardo Cheese 20 to 60 days for dolce, at least 60 days for maturo.
Is Cheddar Cheese similar to Pecorino Sardo Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Pecorino Sardo Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Cheddar Cheese taste like Pecorino Sardo Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Pecorino Sardo Cheese is mild and sweet for dolce, more piquant and pronounced in salt for maturo.
What is Cheddar Cheese made of?
Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk (raw, thermized, pasteurized), using animal; microbial chymosin in vegetarian and kosher versions rennet. It's typically aged a few months to several years. It originates in England.
What is Pecorino Sardo Cheese made of?
Pecorino Sardo Cheese is made from sheep milk (pasteurized or thermized), using calf rennet. It's typically aged 20 to 60 days for dolce, at least 60 days for maturo. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Cheddar Cheese or Pecorino Sardo Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cheddar Cheese is varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline), while Pecorino Sardo Cheese is firm but springy and elastic for dolce, hard and grainy for maturo.