Époisses Cheese vs Pecorino Cheese
Époisses Cheese
Pecorino Cheese
Époisses Cheese is a soft and creamy cow-milk cheese from France, while Pecorino Cheese is hard and made from sheep milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Époisses Cheese?
Époisses is a pungent soft-paste cow's milk cheese from the village of Époisses in Burgundy, France. Washed in brine and Marc de Bourgogne as it ripens, it has a soft red-orange rind that is edible and a strong smell.
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 Époisses Cheese and Pecorino Cheese?
- Origin: Époisses Cheese (France), Pecorino Cheese (Italy)
- Milk type: Époisses Cheese (Cow's Milk), Pecorino Cheese (sheep's milk)
- Texture: Époisses Cheese (Soft and creamy), Pecorino Cheese (hard)
- Aging: Époisses Cheese (Minimum of 28 days), Pecorino Cheese (fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Époisses Cheese | Pecorino Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Auxois And Terre Plaine, Burgundy | Italy |
| Milk Type | Cow's Milk | Sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw or pasteurized | — |
| Texture | Soft and creamy | Hard |
| Rind | Washed-rind | — |
| Aging | Minimum of 28 days | Fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato |
| Taste | Subtle, fruity, distinctive, balanced | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Époisses Cheese Taste Like Pecorino Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Époisses Cheese shows penetrating odor, undergrowth aromas, soft and melting, slightly crumbly center if not long matured, creamy sensation on the palette, while Pecorino Cheese leans toward buttery, nutty, mild cream and milk. Aging plays into this as well. Époisses Cheese at minimum of 28 days develops a different profile than Pecorino Cheese at fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato.
Can You Substitute Époisses Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?
Époisses Cheese can stand in for Pecorino Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft and creamy bite and body where the recipe calls for hard.
Which Is Better, Époisses Cheese or Pecorino Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft and creamy cheese, go with Époisses Cheese. For a hard profile, Pecorino Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Époisses Cheese the same as Pecorino Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Époisses Cheese originates in France, while Pecorino Cheese comes from Italy. Époisses Cheese is made from cow milk; Pecorino Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Époisses Cheese is typically aged minimum of 28 days, Pecorino Cheese fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato.
Is Époisses Cheese similar to Pecorino Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Époisses Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Époisses Cheese taste like Pecorino Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Époisses Cheese made of?
Époisses Cheese is made from cow milk (raw or pasteurized). It's typically aged minimum of 28 days. It originates in France.
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, Époisses Cheese or Pecorino Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Époisses Cheese is soft and creamy, while Pecorino Cheese is hard.