Limburger Cheese vs Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese
Limburger Cheese is a firm to spreadable cow-milk cheese from Belgium, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy and made from cow milk.
What Is Limburger Cheese?
Limburger is a washed-rind cow's milk cheese from the Herve area of the old Duchy of Limburg, now part of Belgium. It is known for the powerful smell it develops after about three months of ripening.
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 Limburger Cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
- Texture: Limburger Cheese (Firm to spreadable), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (hard, dry and grainy)
- Taste: Limburger Cheese (Meaty, farmyard), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (sharp, salty and savory)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Limburger Cheese | Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Belgium | — |
| Specific Origin | Limburg, Allgäu | Parma And Reggio Emilia, Italy |
| Milk Type | Cow’s milk | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Raw |
| Texture | Firm to spreadable | Hard, dry and grainy |
| Rind | Sticky, orange-brown | — |
| Aging | 3 months | — |
| Taste | Meaty, farmyard | Sharp, salty and savory |
Taste Comparison: Does Limburger Cheese Taste Like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Limburger Cheese reads as meaty, farmyard, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory character. More specifically, Limburger Cheese shows created in the 1800s by belgian trappist monks and renowned for its pungent odor, limburger cheese evolves from firm and crumbly to exceptionally creamy and stinky over three months. the odor, akin to smelly feet, is due to brevibacterium linens used in the brine wash. now predominantly produced in germany, with a significant historical presence in the american midwest, particularly wisconsin. traditionally served with dark bread, brown mustard, onion slices, and beer. despite its notoriety for its distinctive smell, limburger remains a famous washed-rind cheese, enjoyed in sandwiches or with boiled potatoes and butter., while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese leans toward strong umami from a high glutamate content.
Can You Substitute Limburger Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
In most recipes, Limburger Cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect firm to spreadable bite and body where the recipe calls for hard, dry and grainy. Flavor-wise, Limburger Cheese reads as meaty, farmyard while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory notes.
Which Is Better, Limburger 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 firm to spreadable cheese, go with Limburger Cheese. For a hard, dry and grainy profile, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Limburger Cheese suits recipes that want meaty, farmyard notes, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese fits dishes calling for sharp, salty and savory.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Limburger Cheese the same as Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses.
Is Limburger Cheese similar to Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Limburger Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Limburger Cheese taste like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Limburger Cheese reads as meaty, farmyard, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is sharp, salty and savory.
What is Limburger Cheese made of?
Limburger Cheese is made from cow milk (raw). It's typically aged 3 months. It originates in Belgium.
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, Limburger Cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Limburger Cheese is firm to spreadable, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy.