Jarlsberg Cheese vs Pecorino di Filiano Cheese

Q: Is Jarlsberg Cheese the same as Pecorino di Filiano Cheese?

No. Jarlsberg Cheese and Pecorino di Filiano Cheese are distinct cheeses from Norway and Italy respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Jarlsberg Cheese for Pecorino di Filiano Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Jarlsberg Cheese for Pecorino di Filiano Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Which should I choose, Jarlsberg Cheese or Pecorino di Filiano Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Jarlsberg Cheese

Pecorino di Filiano Cheese

Jarlsberg Cheese is a semihard cow-milk cheese from Norway, while Pecorino di Filiano Cheese is hard and made from sheep milk, originating in Italy.

What Is Jarlsberg Cheese?

Jarlsberg is a famous Norwegian cheese, known for its distinctive sweet and nutty taste. It is a semi-soft cheese with large, round holes. Jarlsberg is versatile and can be sliced, grilled, or melted. It is often used in sandwiches, as a burger topping, or simply enjoyed on its own.

What Is Pecorino di Filiano Cheese?

Pecorino di Filiano is a PDO-certified sheep's milk cheese from Basilicata, Italy. It is aged for several months, developing a hard texture and a complex flavor profile that includes hints of toasted hazelnuts and herbs. The rind is often treated with olive oil or vinegar to enhance its flavor and preservation.

What's the Difference Between Jarlsberg Cheese and Pecorino di Filiano Cheese?

Origin: Jarlsberg Cheese (Norway), Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Italy)
Milk type: Jarlsberg Cheese (cow's milk), Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Sheep's milk)
Milk treatment: Jarlsberg Cheese (pasteurized), Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Raw)
Texture: Jarlsberg Cheese (Semihard), Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Hard)
Rind: Jarlsberg Cheese (Plastic-covered), Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Golden yellow to dark brown)
Aging: Jarlsberg Cheese (Three months to twelve months), Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Two to five months, over six months)
Taste: Jarlsberg Cheese (Mild, sweet, nutty), Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Sweet and delicate to strong and savoury)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Jarlsberg Cheese	Pecorino di Filiano Cheese
Country of Origin	Norway	Italy
Specific Origin	No Specific Location	Northwest Of The Basilicata Region
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Sheep's milk
Milk Treatment	Pasteurized	Raw
Texture	Semihard	Hard
Rind	Plastic-covered	Golden yellow to dark brown
Aging	Three months to twelve months	Two to five months, over six months
Taste	Mild, sweet, nutty	Sweet and delicate to strong and savoury

Taste Comparison: Does Jarlsberg Cheese Taste Like Pecorino di Filiano Cheese?

Jarlsberg Cheese reads as mild, sweet, nutty, while Pecorino di Filiano Cheese brings sweet and delicate to strong and savoury character. More specifically, Jarlsberg Cheese shows known for its mild, sweet, and nutty flavor and large eyes., while Pecorino di Filiano Cheese leans toward sweet in semi-aged, savoury in aged. Aging plays into this as well. Jarlsberg Cheese at three months to twelve months develops a different profile than Pecorino di Filiano Cheese at two to five months, over six months.

Can You Substitute Jarlsberg Cheese for Pecorino di Filiano Cheese?

Jarlsberg Cheese can stand in for Pecorino di Filiano Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semihard bite and body where the recipe calls for hard. Flavor-wise, Jarlsberg Cheese reads as mild, sweet, nutty while Pecorino di Filiano Cheese brings sweet and delicate to strong and savoury notes.

Which Is Better, Jarlsberg Cheese or Pecorino di Filiano Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semihard cheese, go with Jarlsberg Cheese. For a hard profile, Pecorino di Filiano Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Jarlsberg Cheese suits recipes that want mild, sweet, nutty notes, while Pecorino di Filiano Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet and delicate to strong and savoury.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Jarlsberg Cheese the same as Pecorino di Filiano Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Jarlsberg Cheese originates in Norway, while Pecorino di Filiano Cheese comes from Italy. Jarlsberg Cheese is made from cow milk; Pecorino di Filiano Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Jarlsberg Cheese is typically aged three months to twelve months, Pecorino di Filiano Cheese two to five months, over six months.

Is Jarlsberg Cheese similar to Pecorino di Filiano Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Jarlsberg Cheese for Pecorino di Filiano Cheese?

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

Does Jarlsberg Cheese taste like Pecorino di Filiano Cheese?

Jarlsberg Cheese reads as mild, sweet, nutty, while Pecorino di Filiano Cheese is sweet and delicate to strong and savoury.

What is Jarlsberg Cheese made of?

Jarlsberg Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged three months to twelve months. It originates in Norway.

What is Pecorino di Filiano Cheese made of?

Pecorino di Filiano Cheese is made from sheep milk (raw), using goat or lamb rennet. It's typically aged two to five months, over six months. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Jarlsberg Cheese or Pecorino di Filiano Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Jarlsberg Cheese is semihard, while Pecorino di Filiano Cheese is hard.