Montasio Cheese vs Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese
Montasio Cheese is a elastic to crumbly and hard cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy and made from cow milk.
What Is Montasio Cheese?
Montasio is a cow's milk mountain cheese from Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Veneto in northeastern Italy, made on the Montasio plateau since 1200. It is semi-hard and creamy when young, and harder after longer aging.
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 Montasio Cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Montasio Cheese (unpasteurized), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (raw)
- Texture: Montasio Cheese (Elastic to crumbly and hard), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (hard, dry and grainy)
- Taste: Montasio Cheese (Mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (sharp, salty and savory)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Montasio Cheese | Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | — |
| Specific Origin | Fruili-Venezia Giulia And Parts Of Belluno, Treviso, Padua, And Venice In Veneto | Parma And Reggio Emilia, Italy |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Elastic to crumbly and hard | Hard, dry and grainy |
| Rind | Natural | — |
| Aging | Fresco: 60-120 days; Mezzano: 120 days-10 months; Stagionato: 10-18 months; Stravecchio: over 18 months | — |
| Taste | Mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice | Sharp, salty and savory |
Taste Comparison: Does Montasio Cheese Taste Like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Montasio Cheese reads as mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory character. More specifically, Montasio Cheese shows evolves from mild, creamy, and fruity to fuller, more savory and piquant, with hints of spice as it ages, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese leans toward strong umami from a high glutamate content.
Can You Substitute Montasio Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
In most recipes, Montasio Cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect elastic to crumbly and hard bite and body where the recipe calls for hard, dry and grainy. Flavor-wise, Montasio Cheese reads as mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory notes.
Which Is Better, Montasio 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 elastic to crumbly and hard cheese, go with Montasio Cheese. For a hard, dry and grainy profile, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Montasio Cheese suits recipes that want mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice notes, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese fits dishes calling for sharp, salty and savory.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Montasio Cheese the same as Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses.
Is Montasio Cheese similar to Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Montasio Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Montasio Cheese taste like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Montasio Cheese reads as mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is sharp, salty and savory.
What is Montasio Cheese made of?
Montasio Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged fresco: 60-120 days; mezzano: 120 days-10 months; stagionato: 10-18 months; stravecchio: over 18 months. It originates in Italy.
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, Montasio Cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Montasio Cheese is elastic to crumbly and hard, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy.