Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese vs Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese
Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese is a granular or crumbly to clammy cow-milk cheese, while Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese is grainy, flaky and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese?
Ennstaler Steirerkas is a traditional cheese from Austria, specifically from the district of Liezen in the north-western part of Styria. It is a sour milk cheese made from raw or pasteurized skimmed cow's milk. The cheese is formed into a truncated cone weighing up to 4 kg and is made without rennet, using only acid coagulation. It is known for its crumbly texture and distinctive aroma, with a sour, strong, and piquant flavor. The cheese matures over at least three weeks, developing a dry, brownish or greyish surface with a layer of green or white mold. The interior is marbled, pale brown to brown-grey, with a granular or crumbly texture. The cheese is influenced by the local alpine flora, which contributes to its unique flavor and aroma.
What Is Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
Parmigiano Reggiano is a hard, granular Italian cheese made from unpasteurised cow's milk and aged at least 12 months. Protected as a PDO across Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena and parts of Bologna and Mantua, it is known for its sharp, salty, deeply savoury taste.
What's the Difference Between Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese (Raw or pasteurized skimmed milk), Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (Raw)
- Texture: Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese (Granular or crumbly to clammy), Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (Grainy, flaky)
- Rind: Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese (Dry, brownish or greyish, covered with green or white mold), Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (Hard)
- Aging: Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese (At least three weeks), Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (12 to 36 months)
- Taste: Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese (Sour, strong, piquant, spicy to sharp), Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (Umami)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese | Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | Italy |
| Specific Origin | District Of Liezen, North-Western Part Of Styria | Emilia-Romagna Region |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw or pasteurized skimmed milk | Raw |
| Texture | Granular or crumbly to clammy | Grainy, flaky |
| Rind | Dry, brownish or greyish, covered with green or white mold | Hard |
| Aging | At least three weeks | 12 to 36 months |
| Taste | Sour, strong, piquant, spicy to sharp | Umami |
Taste Comparison: Does Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese Taste Like Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese reads as sour, strong, piquant, spicy to sharp, while Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese brings umami character. On the nose, Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese offers robust and spicy, with an earthy odor and mild ammonia note, contrasted with Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese's mild, milky. Aging plays into this as well. Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese at at least three weeks develops a different profile than Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese at 12 to 36 months.
Can You Substitute Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
In most recipes, Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect granular or crumbly to clammy bite and body where the recipe calls for grainy, flaky. Flavor-wise, Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese reads as sour, strong, piquant, spicy to sharp while Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese brings umami notes.
Which Is Better, Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a granular or crumbly to clammy cheese, go with Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese. For a grainy, flaky profile, Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese suits recipes that want sour, strong, piquant, spicy to sharp notes, while Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese fits dishes calling for umami.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese the same as Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese is typically aged at least three weeks, Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese 12 to 36 months.
Is Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese similar to Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese taste like Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese reads as sour, strong, piquant, spicy to sharp, while Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese is umami. Aromas also diverge. Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese leans robust and spicy, with an earthy odor and mild ammonia note, and Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese is closer to mild, milky.
What is Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese made of?
Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese is made from cow milk (raw or pasteurized skimmed milk), using not used rennet. It's typically aged at least three weeks.
What is Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese made of?
Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using calf rennet. It's typically aged 12 to 36 months. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese is granular or crumbly to clammy, while Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese is grainy, flaky.