Jarlsberg Cheese vs Pecorino Cheese
Jarlsberg Cheese
Pecorino Cheese
Jarlsberg Cheese is a semihard cow-milk cheese from Norway, while Pecorino Cheese is hard and made from sheep milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Jarlsberg Cheese?
Jarlsberg is a mild Swiss-type cheese from Norway, made from cow's milk and named after Jarlsberg Manor. It is known for its buttery, slightly sweet and nutty flavor and its medium to large holes.
What Is Pecorino Cheese?
Pecorino is an Italian hard cheese made from sheep's milk, and its name comes from pecora, the Italian word for sheep. Six main varieties carry PDO status, with Pecorino Romano the best known outside Italy.
What's the Difference Between Jarlsberg Cheese and Pecorino Cheese?
- Origin: Jarlsberg Cheese (Norway), Pecorino Cheese (Italy)
- Milk type: Jarlsberg Cheese (cow's milk), Pecorino Cheese (sheep's milk)
- Texture: Jarlsberg Cheese (Semihard), Pecorino Cheese (hard)
- Aging: Jarlsberg Cheese (Three months to twelve months), Pecorino Cheese (fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Jarlsberg Cheese | Pecorino Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Norway | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Jarlsberg, Vestfold, Norway | Italy |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | — |
| Texture | Semihard | Hard |
| Rind | Plastic-covered | — |
| Aging | Three months to twelve months | Fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato |
| Taste | Mild, sweet, nutty | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Jarlsberg Cheese Taste Like Pecorino Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Jarlsberg Cheese shows known for its mild, sweet, and nutty flavor and large eyes., while Pecorino Cheese leans toward buttery, nutty, mild cream and milk. Aging plays into this as well. Jarlsberg Cheese at three months to twelve months develops a different profile than Pecorino Cheese at fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato.
Can You Substitute Jarlsberg Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?
Jarlsberg Cheese can stand in for Pecorino 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.
Which Is Better, Jarlsberg Cheese or Pecorino 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 Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jarlsberg Cheese the same as Pecorino Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Jarlsberg Cheese originates in Norway, while Pecorino Cheese comes from Italy. Jarlsberg Cheese is made from cow milk; Pecorino Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Jarlsberg Cheese is typically aged three months to twelve months, Pecorino Cheese fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato.
Is Jarlsberg Cheese similar to Pecorino Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Jarlsberg Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Jarlsberg Cheese taste like Pecorino Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
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 Cheese made of?
Pecorino Cheese is made from sheep milk. It's typically aged fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Jarlsberg Cheese or Pecorino Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Jarlsberg Cheese is semihard, while Pecorino Cheese is hard.