Maroilles Cheese vs Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese

Maroilles Cheese is a semisoft cow-milk cheese from France, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy and made from cow milk.

What Is Maroilles Cheese?

Maroilles is a cow's milk cheese from northern France, sold in rectangular blocks with a moist orange-red washed rind. It is known for its strong smell and takes its name from the village of Maroilles, where it has been made since the 10th century.

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 Maroilles Cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

• Milk treatment: Maroilles Cheese (pasteurized and unpasteurized), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (raw)
• Texture: Maroilles Cheese (Semisoft), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (hard, dry and grainy)
• Taste: Maroilles Cheese (Creamy taste, powerful aroma), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (sharp, salty and savory)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Maroilles Cheese Taste Like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

Maroilles Cheese reads as creamy taste, powerful aroma, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory character. More specifically, Maroilles Cheese shows pungent smell of cellars, wet brick, undergrowth, light ammoniac, milky, slightly salty, with hints of milk curd, hazelnut, and garlic, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese leans toward strong umami from a high glutamate content.

Can You Substitute Maroilles Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

In most recipes, Maroilles Cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect semisoft bite and body where the recipe calls for hard, dry and grainy. Flavor-wise, Maroilles Cheese reads as creamy taste, powerful aroma while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory notes.

Which Is Better, Maroilles 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 semisoft cheese, go with Maroilles Cheese. For a hard, dry and grainy profile, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Maroilles Cheese suits recipes that want creamy taste, powerful aroma notes, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese fits dishes calling for sharp, salty and savory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Maroilles Cheese the same as Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses.

Is Maroilles Cheese similar to Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Maroilles Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Maroilles Cheese taste like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

Maroilles Cheese reads as creamy taste, powerful aroma, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is sharp, salty and savory.

What is Maroilles Cheese made of?

Maroilles Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized and unpasteurized), using calf rennet. It's typically aged 5 weeks for 25-oz size. It originates in France.

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, Maroilles Cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Maroilles Cheese is semisoft, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy.