Graviera Cheese vs Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese

Graviera Cheese is a hard cow or sheep-milk cheese from Greece, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy and made from cow milk.

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 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 Graviera Cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

• Milk type: Graviera Cheese (cow's or sheep's milk), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (cow)
• Milk treatment: Graviera Cheese (unpasteurized), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (raw)
• Texture: Graviera Cheese (hard), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (hard, dry and grainy)
• Taste: Graviera Cheese (nutty, sweet), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (sharp, salty and savory)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Graviera Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory character. More specifically, Graviera Cheese shows slightly sweet, burnt caramel in the crete version, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese leans toward strong umami from a high glutamate content.

Can You Substitute Graviera Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

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

Which Is Better, Graviera 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 hard cheese, go with Graviera Cheese. For a hard, dry and grainy profile, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Graviera Cheese suits recipes that want nutty, sweet notes, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese fits dishes calling for sharp, salty and savory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Graviera Cheese the same as Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Graviera Cheese is made from cow or sheep milk; Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese uses cow.

Is Graviera Cheese similar to Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Graviera Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

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

Does Graviera Cheese taste like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

Graviera Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is sharp, salty and 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 Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese made of?

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

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

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