Cheddar Cheese vs Pecorino Cheese

Cheddar Cheese is a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cow-milk cheese from England, while Pecorino Cheese is hard 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 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 Cheddar Cheese and Pecorino Cheese?

• Origin: Cheddar Cheese (England), Pecorino Cheese (Italy)
• Milk type: Cheddar Cheese (cow's milk), Pecorino Cheese (sheep's milk)
• Texture: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)), Pecorino Cheese (hard)
• Aging: Cheddar Cheese (A few months to several years), Pecorino Cheese (fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Cheddar Cheese Taste Like Pecorino Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct. 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 Cheese leans toward buttery, nutty, mild cream and milk. Aging plays into this as well. Cheddar Cheese at a few months to several years develops a different profile than Pecorino Cheese at fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato.

Can You Substitute Cheddar Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?

Cheddar Cheese can stand in for Pecorino 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 hard.

Which Is Better, Cheddar Cheese or Pecorino 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 hard profile, Pecorino Cheese is the better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Pecorino Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Cheddar Cheese originates in England, while Pecorino Cheese comes from Italy. Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk; Pecorino Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Cheddar Cheese is typically aged a few months to several years, Pecorino Cheese fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato.

Is Cheddar Cheese similar to Pecorino Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?

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

Does Cheddar Cheese taste like Pecorino Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.

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 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, Cheddar Cheese or Pecorino 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 Cheese is hard.