Mixed Milk Cheese vs Pecorino Sardo Cheese
Mixed Milk Cheese is a cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo-milk cheese, while Pecorino Sardo Cheese is firm but springy and elastic for dolce, hard and grainy for maturo and made from sheep milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Mixed Milk Cheese?
Mixed milk cheese is any cheese made from more than one type of milk, such as cow, goat, sheep or buffalo. Feta, Scamorza, Wensleydale, Faisselle and Corsican farmhouse cheeses all belong to this group.
What Is Pecorino Sardo Cheese?
Pecorino sardo is a firm sheep milk cheese from Sardinia, made with milk from the island's local Sarda sheep and curdled with calf's rennet. It comes in two versions: dolce, aged 20 to 60 days, and maturo, aged more than two months and sharper in taste.
What's the Difference Between Mixed Milk Cheese and Pecorino Sardo Cheese?
- Milk type: Mixed Milk Cheese (cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo), Pecorino Sardo Cheese (Sheep's Milk)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Mixed Milk Cheese | Pecorino Sardo Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | Italy |
| Specific Origin | — | Sardinia |
| Milk Type | Cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo | Sheep's Milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Pasteurized or Thermized |
| Texture | — | Firm but springy and elastic for Dolce, Hard and grainy for Maturo |
| Rind | — | Pale yellow to mahogany |
| Aging | — | 20 to 60 days for Dolce, At least 60 days for Maturo |
| Taste | — | Mild and sweet for Dolce, More piquant and pronounced in salt for Maturo |
Taste Comparison: Does Mixed Milk Cheese Taste Like Pecorino Sardo Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Mixed Milk Cheese for Pecorino Sardo Cheese?
Mixed Milk Cheese can stand in for Pecorino Sardo Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Mixed Milk Cheese or Pecorino Sardo Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mixed Milk Cheese the same as Pecorino Sardo Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Mixed Milk Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk; Pecorino Sardo Cheese uses sheep.
Is Mixed Milk Cheese similar to Pecorino Sardo Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Mixed Milk Cheese for Pecorino Sardo Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Mixed Milk Cheese taste like Pecorino Sardo Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Mixed Milk Cheese made of?
Mixed Milk Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk.
What is Pecorino Sardo Cheese made of?
Pecorino Sardo Cheese is made from sheep milk (pasteurized or thermized), using calf rennet. It's typically aged 20 to 60 days for dolce, at least 60 days for maturo. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Mixed Milk Cheese or Pecorino Sardo Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.