Graviera Cheese vs Parmesan Cheese

Graviera Cheese is a hard cow or sheep-milk cheese from Greece, while Parmesan Cheese is hard and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

What Is Graviera Cheese?

Graviera is a hard Greek cheese made in wheels from sheep's or cow's milk, named after the gruyere it resembles. It tastes slightly sweet, sometimes with a burnt caramel note, and ranks second only to feta in Greece.

What Is Parmesan Cheese?

Parmesan, or Parmigiano Reggiano, is a hard granular cow's milk cheese from northern Italy, aged at least 12 months. It is known for its sharp, salty, savory taste, which comes from an unusually high level of glutamate.

What's the Difference Between Graviera Cheese and Parmesan Cheese?

• Origin: Graviera Cheese (Greece), Parmesan Cheese (Italy)
• Milk type: Graviera Cheese (Sheep's or cow's milk), Parmesan Cheese (Cow's milk)
• Rind: Graviera Cheese (marked with a crisscross pattern from the draining cloth), Parmesan Cheese (natural)
• Aging: Graviera Cheese (at least 5 months for Crete graviera), Parmesan Cheese (minimum 12 months, average 2 years)
• Taste: Graviera Cheese (nutty, sweet), Parmesan Cheese (salty, savory)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Graviera Cheese Taste Like Parmesan Cheese?

Graviera Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Parmesan Cheese brings salty, savory character. More specifically, Graviera Cheese shows slightly sweet, burnt caramel in the crete version, while Parmesan Cheese leans toward sharp, salty, savory, strong umami. Aging plays into this as well. Graviera Cheese at at least 5 months for crete graviera develops a different profile than Parmesan Cheese at minimum 12 months, average 2 years.

Can You Substitute Graviera Cheese for Parmesan Cheese?

Graviera Cheese can stand in for Parmesan Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Flavor-wise, Graviera Cheese reads as nutty, sweet while Parmesan Cheese brings salty, savory notes.

Which Is Better, Graviera Cheese or Parmesan Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. Flavor-wise, Graviera Cheese suits recipes that want nutty, sweet notes, while Parmesan Cheese fits dishes calling for salty, savory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Graviera Cheese the same as Parmesan Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Graviera Cheese originates in Greece, while Parmesan Cheese comes from Italy. Graviera Cheese is made from cow or sheep milk; Parmesan Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Graviera Cheese is typically aged at least 5 months for crete graviera, Parmesan Cheese minimum 12 months, average 2 years.

Is Graviera Cheese similar to Parmesan Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Graviera Cheese for Parmesan Cheese?

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

Does Graviera Cheese taste like Parmesan Cheese?

Graviera Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Parmesan Cheese is salty, savory.

What is Graviera Cheese made of?

Graviera Cheese is made from cow or sheep milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged at least 5 months for crete graviera. It originates in Greece.

What is Parmesan Cheese made of?

Parmesan Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using animal (calf rennet) rennet. It's typically aged minimum 12 months, average 2 years. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Graviera Cheese or Parmesan Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.