Domiati Cheese vs Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese

Domiati Cheese is a soft cow, goat, or buffalo-milk cheese from Egypt, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy and made from cow milk.

What Is Domiati Cheese?

Domiati is the most common cheese in Egypt, a soft white salty cheese usually made from buffalo or cow milk. Salt goes into the milk before the rennet, which sets it apart from feta and gives the cheese its sharp, pickled character.

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 Domiati Cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

• Milk type: Domiati Cheese (Primarily buffalo, but also cow's, goat's, etc.), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (cow)
• Milk treatment: Domiati Cheese (Pasteurized), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (raw)
• Texture: Domiati Cheese (Soft), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (hard, dry and grainy)
• Taste: Domiati Cheese (Salty), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (sharp, salty and savory)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Domiati Cheese Taste Like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

Domiati Cheese reads as salty, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory character. More specifically, Domiati Cheese shows salty, chewy, similar to feta but with salting occurring before renneting, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese leans toward strong umami from a high glutamate content.

Can You Substitute Domiati Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

Domiati 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 bite and body where the recipe calls for hard, dry and grainy. Flavor-wise, Domiati Cheese reads as salty while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory notes.

Which Is Better, Domiati 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 cheese, go with Domiati Cheese. For a hard, dry and grainy profile, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Domiati Cheese suits recipes that want salty notes, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese fits dishes calling for sharp, salty and savory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Domiati Cheese the same as Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Domiati Cheese is made from cow, goat, or buffalo milk; Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese uses cow.

Is Domiati Cheese similar to Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Domiati Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

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

Does Domiati Cheese taste like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

Domiati Cheese reads as salty, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is sharp, salty and savory.

What is Domiati Cheese made of?

Domiati Cheese is made from cow, goat, or buffalo milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged fresh or 3-4 months pickled. It originates in Egypt.

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, Domiati Cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Domiati Cheese is soft, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy.