Geitost Cheese vs Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese

Geitost Cheese is a semi-hard, whey cow and goat-milk cheese from Norway, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy and made from cow milk.

What Is Geitost Cheese?

Geitost is the Norwegian brown whey cheese made with goat's milk in the mix. Boiling milk, cream and whey caramelizes the milk sugars, which gives it a deep brown color and a sweet, caramel taste with a tang behind it.

What Is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio is a long-aged Parmigiano Reggiano, the hard granular cow's milk cheese of Parma and Reggio Emilia. It is dry and grainy, with the sharp, salty, savory taste that makes it a grating cheese.

What's the Difference Between Geitost Cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

• Milk type: Geitost Cheese (cow's and goat's milk), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (cow)
• Texture: Geitost Cheese (semi-hard, whey), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (hard, dry and grainy)
• Taste: Geitost Cheese (burnt caramel, sweet), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (sharp, salty and savory)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Geitost Cheese Taste Like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

Geitost Cheese reads as burnt caramel, sweet, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory character. More specifically, Geitost Cheese shows sweet and caramel-like, with a tang that is sharper in the goat's milk versions, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese leans toward strong umami from a high glutamate content.

Can You Substitute Geitost Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

Geitost Cheese can stand in for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semi-hard, whey bite and body where the recipe calls for hard, dry and grainy. Flavor-wise, Geitost Cheese reads as burnt caramel, sweet while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory notes.

Which Is Better, Geitost Cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-hard, whey cheese, go with Geitost Cheese. For a hard, dry and grainy profile, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Geitost Cheese suits recipes that want burnt caramel, sweet notes, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese fits dishes calling for sharp, salty and savory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Geitost Cheese the same as Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Geitost Cheese is made from cow and goat milk; Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese uses cow.

Is Geitost Cheese similar to Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Geitost Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Geitost Cheese taste like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

Geitost Cheese reads as burnt caramel, sweet, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is sharp, salty and savory.

What is Geitost Cheese made of?

Geitost Cheese is made from cow and goat milk. It's typically aged not aged. It originates in Norway.

What is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese made of?

Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal (calf) rennet.

Which should I choose, Geitost Cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Geitost Cheese is semi-hard, whey, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy.