Chimay Cheese vs Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese
Chimay Cheese is a soft to hard depending on variety, creamy cheese from Belgium, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy and made from cow milk.
What Is Chimay Cheese?
Chimay is a Belgian Trappist cheese made at Baileux, near the Abbey of Notre-Dame de Scourmont in Hainaut. It comes in several styles, including soft versions washed with Chimay Rouge or Bleue beer and a hard Vieux Chimay aged at least six months.
What Is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio is a long-aged Parmigiano Reggiano, the hard granular cow's milk cheese of Parma and Reggio Emilia. It is dry and grainy, with the sharp, salty, savory taste that makes it a grating cheese.
What's the Difference Between Chimay Cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Chimay Cheese (pasteurized), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (raw)
- Texture: Chimay Cheese (soft to hard depending on variety, creamy), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (hard, dry and grainy)
- Taste: Chimay Cheese (slightly bitter from the beer hops, nutty in aged versions), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (sharp, salty and savory)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Chimay Cheese | Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Belgium | — |
| Specific Origin | Baileux, Hainaut, Belgium | Parma And Reggio Emilia, Italy |
| Milk Type | — | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Soft to hard depending on variety, creamy | Hard, dry and grainy |
| Rind | Washed, some varieties covered with a fine white bloom | — |
| Aging | 2 weeks to 6 months | — |
| Taste | Slightly bitter from the beer hops, nutty in aged versions | Sharp, salty and savory |
Taste Comparison: Does Chimay Cheese Taste Like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Chimay Cheese reads as slightly bitter from the beer hops, nutty in aged versions, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory character. More specifically, Chimay Cheese shows dried fruit and nuts with a light bitter edge in vieux chimay, similar to aged gouda, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese leans toward strong umami from a high glutamate content.
Can You Substitute Chimay Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Chimay Cheese can stand in for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft to hard depending on variety, creamy bite and body where the recipe calls for hard, dry and grainy. Flavor-wise, Chimay Cheese reads as slightly bitter from the beer hops, nutty in aged versions while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory notes.
Which Is Better, Chimay Cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft to hard depending on variety, creamy cheese, go with Chimay Cheese. For a hard, dry and grainy profile, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Chimay Cheese suits recipes that want slightly bitter from the beer hops, nutty in aged versions notes, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese fits dishes calling for sharp, salty and savory.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chimay Cheese the same as Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses.
Is Chimay Cheese similar to Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Chimay Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Chimay Cheese taste like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Chimay Cheese reads as slightly bitter from the beer hops, nutty in aged versions, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is sharp, salty and savory.
What is Chimay Cheese made of?
Chimay Cheese is made from milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 2 weeks to 6 months. It originates in Belgium.
What is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese made of?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal (calf) rennet.
Which should I choose, Chimay Cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Chimay Cheese is soft to hard depending on variety, creamy, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy.