Morlacco Cheese vs Pecorino Romano Cheese
Morlacco Cheese is a soft, artisan cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Pecorino Romano Cheese is hard and made from sheep milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Morlacco Cheese?
Morlacco is a soft, low-fat cow's milk cheese from Monte Grappa in Italy's Veneto region, made with an uncooked curd. It is known for the milk of the Burlina cow, a piebald local breed now at risk of extinction.
What Is Pecorino Romano Cheese?
Pecorino Romano is a hard, salty Italian cheese made only from sheep milk, most often grated over pasta. It began in the countryside around Rome and is now made almost entirely in Sardinia.
What's the Difference Between Morlacco Cheese and Pecorino Romano Cheese?
- Milk type: Morlacco Cheese (cow's milk), Pecorino Romano Cheese (sheep's milk)
- Texture: Morlacco Cheese (soft, artisan), Pecorino Romano Cheese (Hard)
- Rind: Morlacco Cheese (natural), Pecorino Romano Cheese (Pale yellow to brown or black)
- Aging: Morlacco Cheese (20 days to 3 months), Pecorino Romano Cheese (5–8 months or longer)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Morlacco Cheese | Pecorino Romano Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Monte Grappa, Veneto, Italy | Lazio, Sardinia, Grosseto |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Skimmed or whole | — |
| Texture | Soft, artisan | Hard |
| Rind | Natural | Pale yellow to brown or black |
| Aging | 20 days to 3 months | 5–8 months or longer |
| Taste | — | Sharp, salty |
Taste Comparison: Does Morlacco Cheese Taste Like Pecorino Romano Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. On the nose, Morlacco Cheese offers fresh, contrasted with Pecorino Romano Cheese's strong. Aging plays into this as well. Morlacco Cheese at 20 days to 3 months develops a different profile than Pecorino Romano Cheese at 5–8 months or longer.
Can You Substitute Morlacco Cheese for Pecorino Romano Cheese?
Morlacco Cheese can stand in for Pecorino Romano Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, artisan bite and body where the recipe calls for hard.
Which Is Better, Morlacco Cheese or Pecorino Romano Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, artisan cheese, go with Morlacco Cheese. For a hard profile, Pecorino Romano Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Morlacco Cheese the same as Pecorino Romano Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Morlacco Cheese is made from cow milk; Pecorino Romano Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Morlacco Cheese is typically aged 20 days to 3 months, Pecorino Romano Cheese 5–8 months or longer.
Is Morlacco Cheese similar to Pecorino Romano Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Morlacco Cheese for Pecorino Romano Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Morlacco Cheese taste like Pecorino Romano Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Morlacco Cheese made of?
Morlacco Cheese is made from cow milk (skimmed or whole). It's typically aged 20 days to 3 months. It originates in Italy.
What is Pecorino Romano Cheese made of?
Pecorino Romano Cheese is made from sheep milk, using animal (sheep) rennet. It's typically aged 5–8 months or longer. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Morlacco Cheese or Pecorino Romano Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Morlacco Cheese is soft, artisan, while Pecorino Romano Cheese is hard.