Havarti Cheese vs Pecorino Crotonese Cheese
Havarti Cheese is a smooth cow-milk cheese from Denmark, while Pecorino Crotonese Cheese is fresh - soft, regular, creamy; semi-hard - firm; ripened - slightly straw-colored, firm and made from sheep milk.
What Is Havarti Cheese?
Havarti is a semisoft Danish cow's milk cheese, mild and buttery with very small irregular eyes running through a rindless, cream to yellow paste. It slices, grills, and melts, and the EU reserved the name for Denmark in 2019.
What Is Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?
Pecorino Crotonese is an Italian sheep's milk cheese and one of the pecorino varieties registered with the EU as a protected designation of origin. Pecorino is the family name for Italy's sheep's milk cheeses, and every region makes its own.
What's the Difference Between Havarti Cheese and Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?
- Milk type: Havarti Cheese (cow's milk), Pecorino Crotonese Cheese (Whole sheep's milk)
- Milk treatment: Havarti Cheese (pasteurized), Pecorino Crotonese Cheese (Raw, thermised, or pasteurised)
- Texture: Havarti Cheese (Smooth), Pecorino Crotonese Cheese (Fresh - soft, regular, creamy; Semi-hard - firm; Ripened - slightly straw-colored, firm)
- Rind: Havarti Cheese (rindless), Pecorino Crotonese Cheese (Fresh - thin; Semi-hard - thick, light brown; Ripened - hard, brown, may be coated with olive oil or olive dregs)
- Aging: Havarti Cheese (about 3 months), Pecorino Crotonese Cheese (Fresh, semi-hard, ripened (more than six months for ripened))
- Taste: Havarti Cheese (Mild, buttery), Pecorino Crotonese Cheese (Distinct, smooth, slightly tangy (fresh); Intense, well-balanced (semi-hard); Intense, distinct, slight piquant aftertaste (ripened))
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Havarti Cheese | Pecorino Crotonese Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Denmark | — |
| Specific Origin | Denmark | Provinces Of Crotone, Catanzaro, And Cosenza |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Whole sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Raw, thermised, or pasteurised |
| Texture | Smooth | Fresh - soft, regular, creamy; Semi-hard - firm; Ripened - slightly straw-colored, firm |
| Rind | Rindless | Fresh - thin; Semi-hard - thick, light brown; Ripened - hard, brown, may be coated with olive oil or olive dregs |
| Aging | About 3 months | Fresh, semi-hard, ripened (more than six months for ripened) |
| Taste | Mild, buttery | Distinct, smooth, slightly tangy (fresh); Intense, well-balanced (semi-hard); Intense, distinct, slight piquant aftertaste (ripened) |
Taste Comparison: Does Havarti Cheese Taste Like Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?
Havarti Cheese reads as mild, buttery, while Pecorino Crotonese Cheese brings distinct, smooth, slightly tangy (fresh); intense, well-balanced (semi-hard); intense, distinct, slight piquant aftertaste (ripened) character. On the nose, Havarti Cheese offers buttery, contrasted with Pecorino Crotonese Cheese's light scent of sheep's milk mixed with hay, mature wild grasses, hazelnut, and smoke. More specifically, Havarti Cheese shows mild, buttery, slightly acidic cheese known for its irregularly shaped small holes creating a lacy appearance. smooth and firm texture, can be complimented with herbs or jalapeño peppers. variants include creamy versions with up to 65% fat on dry matter basis. manufactured in denmark, united kingdom, canada, and the united states, including artisanal and mass-produced by arla foods and costello., while Pecorino Crotonese Cheese leans toward sheep's milk, hay, mature wild grasses, hazelnut, smoke. Aging plays into this as well. Havarti Cheese at about 3 months develops a different profile than Pecorino Crotonese Cheese at fresh, semi-hard, ripened (more than six months for ripened).
Can You Substitute Havarti Cheese for Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?
Havarti Cheese can stand in for Pecorino Crotonese Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect smooth bite and body where the recipe calls for fresh - soft, regular, creamy; semi-hard - firm; ripened - slightly straw-colored, firm. Flavor-wise, Havarti Cheese reads as mild, buttery while Pecorino Crotonese Cheese brings distinct, smooth, slightly tangy (fresh); intense, well-balanced (semi-hard); intense, distinct, slight piquant aftertaste (ripened) notes.
Which Is Better, Havarti Cheese or Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a smooth cheese, go with Havarti Cheese. For a fresh - soft, regular, creamy; semi-hard - firm; ripened - slightly straw-colored, firm profile, Pecorino Crotonese Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Havarti Cheese suits recipes that want mild, buttery notes, while Pecorino Crotonese Cheese fits dishes calling for distinct, smooth, slightly tangy (fresh); intense, well-balanced (semi-hard); intense, distinct, slight piquant aftertaste (ripened).
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Havarti Cheese the same as Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Havarti Cheese is made from cow milk; Pecorino Crotonese Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Havarti Cheese is typically aged about 3 months, Pecorino Crotonese Cheese fresh, semi-hard, ripened (more than six months for ripened).
Is Havarti Cheese similar to Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Havarti Cheese for Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Havarti Cheese taste like Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?
Havarti Cheese reads as mild, buttery, while Pecorino Crotonese Cheese is distinct, smooth, slightly tangy (fresh); intense, well-balanced (semi-hard); intense, distinct, slight piquant aftertaste (ripened). Aromas also diverge. Havarti Cheese leans buttery, and Pecorino Crotonese Cheese is closer to light scent of sheep's milk mixed with hay, mature wild grasses, hazelnut, and smoke.
What is Havarti Cheese made of?
Havarti Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged about 3 months. It originates in Denmark.
What is Pecorino Crotonese Cheese made of?
Pecorino Crotonese Cheese is made from sheep milk (raw, thermised, or pasteurised), using kid rennet pas rennet. It's typically aged fresh, semi-hard, ripened (more than six months for ripened).
Which should I choose, Havarti Cheese or Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Havarti Cheese is smooth, while Pecorino Crotonese Cheese is fresh - soft, regular, creamy; semi-hard - firm; ripened - slightly straw-colored, firm.