Criollo Cheese vs Pecorino Cheese

Criollo Cheese is a semi-hard cow-milk cheese from Mexico, while Pecorino Cheese is hard and made from sheep milk, originating in Italy.

What Is Criollo Cheese?

Criollo cheese is a semi-hard raw cow's milk cheese from the area around Taxco, in northern Guerrero, Mexico. Its yellow to orange paste is full of eyes, the taste is mild and slightly sweet, and it browns well under a grill.

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 Criollo Cheese and Pecorino Cheese?

• Origin: Criollo Cheese (Mexico), Pecorino Cheese (Italy)
• Milk type: Criollo Cheese (Cow's milk), Pecorino Cheese (Sheep's milk)
• Texture: Criollo Cheese (Semi-hard), Pecorino Cheese (Hard)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Criollo Cheese Taste Like Pecorino Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Criollo Cheese shows mild, slightly sweet, very aromatic, while Pecorino Cheese leans toward buttery, nutty, mild cream and milk.

Can You Substitute Criollo Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?

Criollo Cheese can stand in for Pecorino Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semi-hard bite and body where the recipe calls for hard.

Which Is Better, Criollo Cheese or Pecorino Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-hard cheese, go with Criollo Cheese. For a hard profile, Pecorino Cheese is the better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Criollo Cheese the same as Pecorino Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Criollo Cheese originates in Mexico, while Pecorino Cheese comes from Italy. Criollo Cheese is made from cow milk; Pecorino Cheese uses sheep.

Is Criollo Cheese similar to Pecorino Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Criollo Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?

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

Does Criollo Cheese taste like Pecorino Cheese?

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

What is Criollo Cheese made of?

Criollo Cheese is made from cow milk (raw). It originates in Mexico.

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, Criollo Cheese or Pecorino Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Criollo Cheese is semi-hard, while Pecorino Cheese is hard.