Comté Cheese vs Pecorino Cheese

In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Comté Cheese and Pecorino Cheese, including:

• "What is the difference between Comté Cheese and Pecorino Cheese?"
• "Is Comté Cheese and Pecorino Cheese the same?"
• "How does Comté Cheese compare to Pecorino Cheese cheese?"
• "How does the taste of Comté Cheese compare to Pecorino Cheese?"
• "Is Comté Cheese or Pecorino Cheese better?"

Comté Cheese Overview

Comté is a French cheese made from cow's milk in the Jura region of France. It is one of the most popular AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) cheeses, known for its complex flavors which can include hints of apricot, chocolate, butter, cream, hazelnuts, and toast. Comté is aged for a minimum of four months, with some wheels maturing for over a year to develop a deeper flavor profile.

Pecorino Cheese Overview

Pecorino is a term for Italian cheeses made from sheep's milk. The most well-known varieties include Pecorino Romano, Pecorino Toscano, and Pecorino Sardo, each named after their region of origin. These cheeses vary in texture from soft and buttery to hard and granular, and they range in flavor from mild to sharp and salty, often aged to develop deeper flavors.

Comparing the Two Cheeses

Country of Origin

Comté Cheese comes from France. Pecorino Cheese originated from Italy.

Certification

Many cheeses have some kind of protected status that makes it so they can only be produced in a certain manner and location. Comté Cheese has a PDO (1996), AOC (1958). Pecorino is not a protected cheese.

Milk Type and Treatment

Comté Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically raw. Pecorino Cheese is made with sheep milk.

Composition and Texture

Comté's texture can be described as "smooth; semi-hard". Pecorino's texture can be described as "hard".

Taste and Aroma

Comté Cheese has a nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted taste.

Appearance and Aging

Comté Cheese's appearance is colored pale yellow , is available in wide, flat wheels and is aged 4 months to 3 years .

Rind and Rennet Type

Comté Cheese's rind is described as natural .

Ranking

Comté is ranked #74 out of 996 types based on community views. Pecorino is ranked #167 out of 996 types based on community views.

Pairing Comparison

For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Comté and Pecorino pages.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Which One Should You Choose?

If you prefer a smooth; semi-hard cheese, go for Comté. But if you enjoy a hard consistency, Pecorino might be the better pick.

Compare Comté Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare Pecorino Cheese to Other Cheeses