Farmstead Cheese vs Pecorino Cheese
Farmstead Cheese is a cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo-milk cheese, while Pecorino Cheese is hard and made from sheep milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Farmstead Cheese?
Farmstead cheese, called farmhouse cheese in Europe, is made on the same farm that produced the milk. No outside milk is allowed, so each one tastes like the herd and land behind it.
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 Farmstead Cheese and Pecorino Cheese?
- Milk type: Farmstead Cheese (cow, goat, sheep, sometimes water buffalo), Pecorino Cheese (sheep's milk)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Farmstead Cheese | Pecorino Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Europe And North America | Italy |
| Milk Type | Cow, goat, sheep, sometimes water buffalo | Sheep's milk |
| Texture | — | Hard |
| Aging | — | Fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato |
Taste Comparison: Does Farmstead Cheese Taste Like Pecorino Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Farmstead Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?
Farmstead Cheese can stand in for Pecorino Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Farmstead Cheese or Pecorino Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Farmstead Cheese the same as Pecorino Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Farmstead Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk; Pecorino Cheese uses sheep.
Is Farmstead Cheese similar to Pecorino Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Farmstead Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Farmstead Cheese taste like Pecorino Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Farmstead Cheese made of?
Farmstead Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk.
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, Farmstead Cheese or Pecorino Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.