Feta Cheese vs Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese
Feta Cheese
Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese
Feta Cheese is a soft, white, aged in brine goat and sheep-milk cheese from Greece, while Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese is grainy, flaky and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Feta Cheese?
Feta is a Greek brined white cheese made from sheep's milk or a mix of sheep and goat's milk. It is crumbly and slightly grainy, tangy and salty, and it anchors dishes like Greek salad and spanakopita.
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 Feta Cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
- Origin: Feta Cheese (Greece), Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (Italy)
- Milk type: Feta Cheese (goat's and sheep's milk), Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (Cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Feta Cheese (Pasteurized, sometimes raw), Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (Raw)
- Texture: Feta Cheese (Soft, white, aged in brine), Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (Grainy, flaky)
- Rind: Feta Cheese (None), Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (Hard)
- Aging: Feta Cheese (2 months to longer), Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (12 to 36 months)
- Taste: Feta Cheese (Sharp to mild), Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (Umami)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feta Cheese | Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Greece | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Mainland Greece And Lesbos Prefecture | Emilia-Romagna Region |
| Milk Type | Goat's and sheep's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized, sometimes raw | Raw |
| Texture | Soft, white, aged in brine | Grainy, flaky |
| Rind | None | Hard |
| Aging | 2 months to longer | 12 to 36 months |
| Taste | Sharp to mild | Umami |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese: wines, foods, breads and more.
| Feta Cheese | Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Pairs well with | Albariño, Asparagus, Avocado, Cod, Dirty Martini, Green Tea, Kiwi, Kolsch, Kombucha, Mangoes, Muscat, Pesto and more | Almonds, Amaro, Asparagus, Bresaola, Chicken, Clam Chowder, Cod, Madeira, Mushrooms, Pesto, Pistachios, Prosciutto and more |
Taste Comparison: Does Feta Cheese Taste Like Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild, while Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese brings umami character. On the nose, Feta Cheese offers ewe's milk, butter, yoghurt, contrasted with Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese's mild, milky. More specifically, Feta Cheese shows sharp, dry, hard to mild, rich, creamy depending on production methods, breed of animals, season, and diet. can be tangy or creamy. flavors of sheep’s milk, grass, and clover. variety ranges from region to region, and producer to producer., while Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese leans toward lactic (fermented milk), sweet (fresh cream, melted butter), fruity or citrusy (apricot, banana, dried fruits, lemon, pineapple), balanced by savory nutty (hazelnut, walnut) and meaty. Aging plays into this as well. Feta Cheese at 2 months to longer develops a different profile than Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese at 12 to 36 months.
Can You Substitute Feta Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
Feta Cheese can stand in for Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, white, aged in brine bite and body where the recipe calls for grainy, flaky. Flavor-wise, Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild while Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese brings umami notes.
Which Is Better, Feta Cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, white, aged in brine cheese, go with Feta Cheese. For a grainy, flaky profile, Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Feta Cheese suits recipes that want sharp to mild notes, while Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese fits dishes calling for umami.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Feta Cheese the same as Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Feta Cheese originates in Greece, while Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese comes from Italy. Feta Cheese is made from goat and sheep milk; Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Feta Cheese is typically aged 2 months to longer, Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese 12 to 36 months.
Is Feta Cheese similar to Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Feta Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Feta Cheese taste like Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild, while Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese is umami. Aromas also diverge. Feta Cheese leans ewe's milk, butter, yoghurt, and Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese is closer to mild, milky.
What is Feta Cheese made of?
Feta Cheese is made from goat and sheep milk (pasteurized, sometimes raw), using rennet. It's typically aged 2 months to longer. It originates in Greece.
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, Feta Cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Feta Cheese is soft, white, aged in brine, while Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese is grainy, flaky.