Montasio Cheese vs Pecorino Cheese

Montasio Cheese is a elastic to crumbly and hard cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Pecorino Cheese is hard and made from sheep milk, originating in Italy.

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 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 Montasio Cheese and Pecorino Cheese?

• Milk type: Montasio Cheese (cow's milk), Pecorino Cheese (sheep's milk)
• Texture: Montasio Cheese (Elastic to crumbly and hard), Pecorino Cheese (hard)
• Aging: Montasio Cheese (Fresco: 60-120 days; Mezzano: 120 days-10 months; Stagionato: 10-18 months; Stravecchio: over 18 months), Pecorino Cheese (fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Montasio Cheese Taste Like Pecorino Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct. 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 Pecorino Cheese leans toward buttery, nutty, mild cream and milk. Aging plays into this as well. Montasio Cheese at fresco: 60-120 days; mezzano: 120 days-10 months; stagionato: 10-18 months; stravecchio: over 18 months develops a different profile than Pecorino Cheese at fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato.

Can You Substitute Montasio Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?

Montasio Cheese can stand in for Pecorino Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect elastic to crumbly and hard bite and body where the recipe calls for hard.

Which Is Better, Montasio Cheese or Pecorino 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 profile, Pecorino Cheese is the better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Montasio Cheese the same as Pecorino Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Montasio Cheese is made from cow milk; Pecorino Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Montasio Cheese is typically aged fresco: 60-120 days; mezzano: 120 days-10 months; stagionato: 10-18 months; stravecchio: over 18 months, Pecorino Cheese fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato.

Is Montasio Cheese similar to Pecorino Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Montasio Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Montasio Cheese taste like Pecorino Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.

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 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, Montasio Cheese or Pecorino Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Montasio Cheese is elastic to crumbly and hard, while Pecorino Cheese is hard.