Queso de Murcia vs Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese
Queso de Murcia is a soft and elastic (fresh) / firm and compact (cured) goat-milk cheese from Spain, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy and made from cow milk.
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What Is Queso de Murcia?
Queso de Murcia is a fatty goat's milk cheese from south-east Spain with Protected Designation of Origin status, made only from Murcian goats in registered herds. It is sold fresh and very white, or cured for at least sixty days until firm.
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 Queso de Murcia and Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
- Milk type: Queso de Murcia (Goat’s milk), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (cow)
- Texture: Queso de Murcia (Soft and elastic (fresh) / Firm and compact (cured)), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (hard, dry and grainy)
- Taste: Queso de Murcia (Mild, slightly sweet (fresh) / Persistent, lactic, with vegetal and roasted notes (cured)), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (sharp, salty and savory)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Queso de Murcia | Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Spain | — |
| Specific Origin | Murcia Region | Parma And Reggio Emilia, Italy |
| Milk Type | Goat’s milk | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | — | Raw |
| Texture | Soft and elastic (fresh) / Firm and compact (cured) | Hard, dry and grainy |
| Rind | None (fresh) / Hard, smooth (cured) | — |
| Aging | Not aged (fresh) / Minimum 60-120 days (cured) | — |
| Taste | Mild, slightly sweet (fresh) / Persistent, lactic, with vegetal and roasted notes (cured) | Sharp, salty and savory |
Taste Comparison: Does Queso de Murcia Taste Like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Queso de Murcia reads as mild, slightly sweet (fresh) / persistent, lactic, with vegetal and roasted notes (cured), while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory character. More specifically, Queso de Murcia shows fresh milk, cream (fresh) / butter, hay, dried fruit, caramel (cured), while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese leans toward strong umami from a high glutamate content.
Can You Substitute Queso de Murcia for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Queso de Murcia can stand in for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft and elastic (fresh) / firm and compact (cured) bite and body where the recipe calls for hard, dry and grainy. Flavor-wise, Queso de Murcia reads as mild, slightly sweet (fresh) / persistent, lactic, with vegetal and roasted notes (cured) while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory notes.
Which Is Better, Queso de Murcia or Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft and elastic (fresh) / firm and compact (cured) cheese, go with Queso de Murcia. For a hard, dry and grainy profile, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Queso de Murcia suits recipes that want mild, slightly sweet (fresh) / persistent, lactic, with vegetal and roasted notes (cured) notes, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese fits dishes calling for sharp, salty and savory.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Queso de Murcia the same as Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Queso de Murcia is made from goat milk; Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese uses cow.
Is Queso de Murcia similar to Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Queso de Murcia for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Queso de Murcia taste like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Queso de Murcia reads as mild, slightly sweet (fresh) / persistent, lactic, with vegetal and roasted notes (cured), while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is sharp, salty and savory.
What is Queso de Murcia made of?
Queso de Murcia is made from goat milk, using animal rennet. It's typically aged not aged (fresh) / minimum 60-120 days (cured). 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, Queso de Murcia or Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Queso de Murcia is soft and elastic (fresh) / firm and compact (cured), while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy.