Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese vs Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese

Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese is a firm but malleable; smooth and closed; extra mature may have a slightly brittle texture with lactate crystals cow-milk cheese, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy and made from cow milk.

What Is Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?

Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar is a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) cheese made in the Orkney Islands, Scotland. It is crafted using local milk and a unique dry stir technique developed in 1984, which gives it a firm, dense texture. The cheese matures for 6 to 18 months, creating medium, mature, and extra mature varieties with savory, nutty flavors. The production process includes hand-salting the curd for even distribution and controlled maturation for consistent quality. Orkney Cheddar has won multiple awards and is known for its excellent melting properties. It is available in both white and colored forms, with the latter containing a vegetable-based pigment.

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 Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

• Milk treatment: Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese (Pasteurized), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (raw)
• Texture: Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese (Firm but malleable; smooth and closed; extra mature may have a slightly brittle texture with lactate crystals), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (hard, dry and grainy)
• Taste: Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese (Savory and nutty with varying sharpness depending on aging), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (sharp, salty and savory)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese Taste Like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese reads as savory and nutty with varying sharpness depending on aging, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory character. More specifically, Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese shows moderate sharp acid notes, rounded with savory and nutty undertones, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese leans toward strong umami from a high glutamate content.

Can You Substitute Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

In most recipes, Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect firm but malleable; smooth and closed; extra mature may have a slightly brittle texture with lactate crystals bite and body where the recipe calls for hard, dry and grainy. Flavor-wise, Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese reads as savory and nutty with varying sharpness depending on aging while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory notes.

Which Is Better, Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar 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 firm but malleable; smooth and closed; extra mature may have a slightly brittle texture with lactate crystals cheese, go with Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese. For a hard, dry and grainy profile, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese suits recipes that want savory and nutty with varying sharpness depending on aging notes, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese fits dishes calling for sharp, salty and savory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese the same as Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses.

Is Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese similar to Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese taste like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese reads as savory and nutty with varying sharpness depending on aging, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is sharp, salty and savory.

What is Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese made of?

Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 6 to 18 months.

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, Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese is firm but malleable; smooth and closed; extra mature may have a slightly brittle texture with lactate crystals, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy.