Queso Manchego vs Pecorino Cheese

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

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

Queso Manchego Overview

Manchego is a PDO-protected cheese made in the La Mancha region of Spain, exclusively from the milk of Manchega sheep. It has a firm and compact consistency and a buttery texture, with a distinctive flavor that is well-developed and tangy, often with a slight piquancy in older cheeses. Manchego is aged for a minimum of two months and up to two years, developing a deeper flavor and harder texture with time.

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

Queso Manchego comes from Spain. 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. Queso Manchego has a PDO (1996). Pecorino is not a protected cheese.

Milk Type and Treatment

Queso Manchego is made with sheep milk that is typically raw or pasteurized. Pecorino Cheese is made with sheep milk.

Composition and Texture

Queso Manchego's texture can be described as "compact". Pecorino's texture can be described as "hard".

Taste and Aroma

Queso Manchego has a slightly acidic taste.

Appearance and Aging

Queso Manchego's appearance is colored white to yellowish ivory , is available in cylindrical with flat faces and is aged fresco (2 weeks), semi-curado (3 weeks to 4 months), curado (3-6 months), viejo or anejo (1 year) .

Rind and Rennet Type

Queso Manchego's rind is described as pleita and flor imprints and uses animal rennet.

Ranking

Queso Manchego is ranked #28 out of 996 types based on community views. Pecorino is ranked #167 out of 996 types based on community views.

Pairing Comparison

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

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Which One Should You Choose?

If you prefer a compact cheese, go for Queso Manchego. But if you enjoy a hard consistency, Pecorino might be the better pick.

Compare Queso Manchego to Other Cheeses

Compare Pecorino Cheese to Other Cheeses