Monte Enebro Cheese vs Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese

Monte Enebro Cheese is a smooth, dense goat-milk cheese from Spain, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy and made from cow milk.

What Is Monte Enebro Cheese?

Monte Enebro is an artisanal goat cheese from Avila, Spain, created by cheesemaker Rafael Baez and his daughter Paloma. It has a distinctive ash-covered rind with a creamy, slightly acidic interior that features strong, tangy blue mold flavors developing towards the center of the cheese. Monte Enebro is highly regarded for its complex flavor profile and creamy texture.

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 Monte Enebro Cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

• Milk type: Monte Enebro Cheese (goat's milk), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (cow)
• Milk treatment: Monte Enebro Cheese (unpasteurized), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (raw)
• Texture: Monte Enebro Cheese (Smooth, dense), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (hard, dry and grainy)
• Taste: Monte Enebro Cheese (Bold, goaty, tang, pleasing spice), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (sharp, salty and savory)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Monte Enebro Cheese Taste Like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

Monte Enebro Cheese reads as bold, goaty, tang, pleasing spice, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory character. More specifically, Monte Enebro Cheese shows bold goaty aroma, distinct tang, and pleasing spice notes imparted by the penicillium roqueforti rind, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese leans toward strong umami from a high glutamate content.

Can You Substitute Monte Enebro Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

Monte Enebro Cheese can stand in for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect smooth, dense bite and body where the recipe calls for hard, dry and grainy. Flavor-wise, Monte Enebro Cheese reads as bold, goaty, tang, pleasing spice while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory notes.

Which Is Better, Monte Enebro 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 smooth, dense cheese, go with Monte Enebro Cheese. For a hard, dry and grainy profile, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Monte Enebro Cheese suits recipes that want bold, goaty, tang, pleasing spice notes, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese fits dishes calling for sharp, salty and savory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Monte Enebro Cheese the same as Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Monte Enebro Cheese is made from goat milk; Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese uses cow.

Is Monte Enebro Cheese similar to Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Monte Enebro Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

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

Does Monte Enebro Cheese taste like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

Monte Enebro Cheese reads as bold, goaty, tang, pleasing spice, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is sharp, salty and savory.

What is Monte Enebro Cheese made of?

Monte Enebro Cheese is made from goat milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged matured for 30 days after spraying with penicillium roqueforti. It originates in Spain.

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, Monte Enebro Cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Monte Enebro Cheese is smooth, dense, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy.