Queso de Murcia vs Pecorino Cheese
Queso de Murcia is a soft and elastic (fresh) / firm and compact (cured) goat-milk cheese from Spain, while Pecorino Cheese is hard and made from sheep milk, originating in Italy.
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 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 Queso de Murcia and Pecorino Cheese?
- Origin: Queso de Murcia (Spain), Pecorino Cheese (Italy)
- Milk type: Queso de Murcia (Goat’s milk), Pecorino Cheese (sheep's milk)
- Texture: Queso de Murcia (Soft and elastic (fresh) / Firm and compact (cured)), Pecorino Cheese (hard)
- Aging: Queso de Murcia (Not aged (fresh) / Minimum 60-120 days (cured)), Pecorino Cheese (fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Queso de Murcia | Pecorino Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Spain | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Murcia Region | Italy |
| Milk Type | Goat’s milk | Sheep's milk |
| Texture | Soft and elastic (fresh) / Firm and compact (cured) | Hard |
| Rind | None (fresh) / Hard, smooth (cured) | — |
| Aging | Not aged (fresh) / Minimum 60-120 days (cured) | Fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato |
| Taste | Mild, slightly sweet (fresh) / Persistent, lactic, with vegetal and roasted notes (cured) | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Queso de Murcia Taste Like Pecorino Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Queso de Murcia shows fresh milk, cream (fresh) / butter, hay, dried fruit, caramel (cured), while Pecorino Cheese leans toward buttery, nutty, mild cream and milk. Aging plays into this as well. Queso de Murcia at not aged (fresh) / minimum 60-120 days (cured) develops a different profile than Pecorino Cheese at fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato.
Can You Substitute Queso de Murcia for Pecorino Cheese?
Queso de Murcia can stand in for Pecorino 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.
Which Is Better, Queso de Murcia or Pecorino 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 profile, Pecorino Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Queso de Murcia the same as Pecorino Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Queso de Murcia originates in Spain, while Pecorino Cheese comes from Italy. Queso de Murcia is made from goat milk; Pecorino Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Queso de Murcia is typically aged not aged (fresh) / minimum 60-120 days (cured), Pecorino Cheese fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato.
Is Queso de Murcia similar to Pecorino Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Queso de Murcia for Pecorino Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Queso de Murcia taste like Pecorino Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
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 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, Queso de Murcia or Pecorino 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 Pecorino Cheese is hard.