Farmstead Cheese vs Pérail Cheese
Farmstead Cheese
Pérail Cheese
Farmstead Cheese is a cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo-milk cheese, while Pérail Cheese is soft and made from sheep milk, originating in France.
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 Pérail Cheese?
Pérail is a soft sheep's milk cheese from Aveyron in southern France, sold in small rounds with an ivory, wrinkly rind. Older wheels taste distinctly sheepy.
What's the Difference Between Farmstead Cheese and Pérail Cheese?
- Milk type: Farmstead Cheese (cow, goat, sheep, sometimes water buffalo), Pérail Cheese (sheep)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Farmstead Cheese | Pérail Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | France |
| Specific Origin | Europe And North America | Aveyron, France |
| Milk Type | Cow, goat, sheep, sometimes water buffalo | Sheep |
| Texture | — | Soft |
| Rind | — | Wrinkly, mainly Geotrichum candidum |
| Aging | — | 2 to 8 weeks |
| Taste | — | Distinctly sheepy in older cheeses |
Taste Comparison: Does Farmstead Cheese Taste Like Pérail Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Farmstead Cheese for Pérail Cheese?
Farmstead Cheese can stand in for Pérail Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Farmstead Cheese or Pérail 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 Pérail Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Farmstead Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk; Pérail Cheese uses sheep.
Is Farmstead Cheese similar to Pérail Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Farmstead Cheese for Pérail Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Farmstead Cheese taste like Pérail 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 Pérail Cheese made of?
Pérail Cheese is made from sheep milk. It's typically aged 2 to 8 weeks. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Farmstead Cheese or Pérail Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.