Kefalotyri Cheese vs Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese
Kefalotyri Cheese is a hard goat or sheep-milk cheese from Cyprus and Greece, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy and made from cow milk.
What Is Kefalotyri Cheese?
Kefalotyri is a hard, salty cheese from Greece and Cyprus, made from sheep milk, goat milk, or both. It is known for grating over pasta and vegetables, and for saganaki, where slices are fried in olive oil.
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 Kefalotyri Cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
- Milk type: Kefalotyri Cheese (goat's or sheep's milk), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (cow)
- Milk treatment: Kefalotyri Cheese (pasteurized), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (raw)
- Texture: Kefalotyri Cheese (hard), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (hard, dry and grainy)
- Taste: Kefalotyri Cheese (salty, sharp, spicy, strong, tangy), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (sharp, salty and savory)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Kefalotyri Cheese | Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Cyprus And Greece | — |
| Specific Origin | Greece And Cyprus | Parma And Reggio Emilia, Italy |
| Milk Type | Goat's or sheep's milk | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Hard | Hard, dry and grainy |
| Rind | Natural | — |
| Aging | 2 to 3 months | — |
| Taste | Salty, sharp, spicy, strong, tangy | Sharp, salty and savory |
Taste Comparison: Does Kefalotyri Cheese Taste Like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Kefalotyri Cheese reads as salty, sharp, spicy, strong, tangy, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory character. More specifically, Kefalotyri Cheese shows drier and stronger when aged a year or more, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese leans toward strong umami from a high glutamate content.
Can You Substitute Kefalotyri Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Kefalotyri 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, Kefalotyri Cheese reads as salty, sharp, spicy, strong, tangy while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory notes.
Which Is Better, Kefalotyri 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 Kefalotyri Cheese. For a hard, dry and grainy profile, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Kefalotyri Cheese suits recipes that want salty, sharp, spicy, strong, tangy notes, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese fits dishes calling for sharp, salty and savory.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kefalotyri Cheese the same as Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Kefalotyri Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk; Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese uses cow.
Is Kefalotyri Cheese similar to Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Kefalotyri Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Kefalotyri Cheese taste like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Kefalotyri Cheese reads as salty, sharp, spicy, strong, tangy, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is sharp, salty and savory.
What is Kefalotyri Cheese made of?
Kefalotyri Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 2 to 3 months. It originates in Cyprus and 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, Kefalotyri Cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Kefalotyri Cheese is hard, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy.