Gruyère Cheese vs Pecorino Cheese

In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Gruyère Cheese and Pecorino Cheese, including:

• "What is the difference between Gruyère Cheese and Pecorino Cheese?"
• "Is Gruyère Cheese and Pecorino Cheese the same?"
• "How does Gruyère Cheese compare to Pecorino Cheese cheese?"
• "How does the taste of Gruyère Cheese compare to Pecorino Cheese?"
• "Is Gruyère Cheese or Pecorino Cheese better?"

Gruyère Cheese Overview

Gruyère is a famous Swiss hard cheese, known for its rich, creamy, slightly nutty flavor. It is typically aged for six months or more and has a dense, slightly grainy texture. Gruyère is a staple in fondue and is also used in French onion soup, croque-monsieur, and various baked dishes.

Pecorino Cheese Overview

Pecorino is a term for Italian cheeses made from sheep's milk. The most well-known varieties include Pecorino Romano, Pecorino Toscano, and Pecorino Sardo, each named after their region of origin. These cheeses vary in texture from soft and buttery to hard and granular, and they range in flavor from mild to sharp and salty, often aged to develop deeper flavors.

Comparing the Two Cheeses

Country of Origin

Gruyère Cheese comes from Switzerland. Pecorino Cheese originated from Italy.

Certification

Many cheeses have some kind of protected status that makes it so they can only be produced in a certain manner and location. Gruyère Cheese has a AOP (2007), PGI (2007), GI (2011). Pecorino is not a protected cheese.

Milk Type and Treatment

Gruyère Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically raw. Pecorino Cheese is made with sheep milk.

Composition and Texture

Gruyère Cheese has a fat content of around 32-35% fat in dry matter, which translates to about 45-50% overall fat content. and a moisture content of approximately 35-37%, characteristic of its dense texture.. Gruyère's texture can be described as "dense, moister". Pecorino's texture can be described as "hard".

Taste and Aroma

Gruyère Cheese has a nutty, complex taste. Gruyère's aroma can be described as "earthy, fruity, possibly barnyardy".

Appearance and Aging

Gruyère Cheese's appearance is colored varies , is available in cylindrical and is aged 5 months to 24+ .

Rind and Rennet Type

Gruyère Cheese's rind is described as natural, orangy and uses animal rennet.

Ranking

Gruyère is ranked #33 out of 996 types based on community views. Pecorino is ranked #170 out of 996 types based on community views.

Pairing Comparison

For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Gruyère and Pecorino pages.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Which One Should You Choose?

If you prefer a dense, moister cheese, go for Gruyère. But if you enjoy a hard consistency, Pecorino might be the better pick.

Compare Gruyère Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare Pecorino Cheese to Other Cheeses