Maroilles Cheese vs Pecorino Cheese
Maroilles Cheese
Pecorino Cheese
Maroilles Cheese is a semi-soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Pecorino Cheese is hard and made from sheep milk, originating in Italy.
Buy Maroilles Cheese
Buy Pecorino Cheese
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 Pecorino Cheese?
Pecorino is an Italian hard cheese made from sheep's milk, and its name comes from pecora, the Italian word for sheep. Six main varieties carry PDO status, with Pecorino Romano the best known outside Italy.
What's the Difference Between Maroilles Cheese and Pecorino Cheese?
- Origin: Maroilles Cheese (France), Pecorino Cheese (Italy)
- Milk type: Maroilles Cheese (Cow's milk), Pecorino Cheese (Sheep's milk)
- Texture: Maroilles Cheese (Semi-soft), Pecorino Cheese (Hard)
- Aging: Maroilles Cheese (5 weeks for 25-oz size), Pecorino Cheese (fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Maroilles Cheese | Pecorino Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Nord And Aisne | Italy |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized and unpasteurized | — |
| Texture | Semi-soft | Hard |
| Rind | Reddish-orange color | — |
| Aging | 5 weeks for 25-oz size | Fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato |
| Taste | Creamy taste, powerful aroma | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Maroilles Cheese Taste Like Pecorino Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. 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 Pecorino Cheese leans toward buttery, nutty, mild cream and milk. Aging plays into this as well. Maroilles Cheese at 5 weeks for 25-oz size develops a different profile than Pecorino Cheese at fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato.
Can You Substitute Maroilles Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?
Maroilles Cheese can stand in for Pecorino Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semi-soft bite and body where the recipe calls for hard.
Which Is Better, Maroilles Cheese or Pecorino Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-soft cheese, go with Maroilles Cheese. For a hard profile, Pecorino Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maroilles Cheese the same as Pecorino Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Maroilles Cheese originates in France, while Pecorino Cheese comes from Italy. Maroilles Cheese is made from cow milk; Pecorino Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Maroilles Cheese is typically aged 5 weeks for 25-oz size, Pecorino Cheese fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato.
Is Maroilles Cheese similar to Pecorino Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Maroilles Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Maroilles Cheese taste like Pecorino Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
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 Pecorino Cheese made of?
Pecorino Cheese is made from sheep milk. It's typically aged fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Maroilles Cheese or Pecorino Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Maroilles Cheese is semi-soft, while Pecorino Cheese is hard.