Ossolano Cheese vs Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese
Ossolano Cheese is a firm and springy with small, irregular eyes cow-milk cheese, while Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese is grainy, flaky and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Ossolano Cheese?
Ossolano is a type of cheese from Italy, specifically recognized as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) product. It is made exclusively from whole cow's milk from breeds such as Bruna, Frisona, and Pezzata Rossa. The cheese is produced in the Ossola valley, a mountainous area in the Piedmont region. Ossolano cheese has a smooth, straw-yellow rind that darkens with age and a firm, springy paste with small, irregular eyes. It is known for its harmonious and delicate aroma, which becomes more intense as it matures. The cheese must be matured for at least 60 days. Ossolano is available in a standard form and an Alpine variety, which is made from milk produced on alpine pastures.
What Is Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
Parmigiano Reggiano is an iconic Italian cheese produced in specific regions of Italy, including Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, and parts of Mantua and Bologna. It is made from raw cow's milk and aged at least 12 months, developing a deep, complex flavor that's slightly nutty and salty. Parmigiano Reggiano is essential in Italian cooking and as a finishing cheese.
What's the Difference Between Ossolano Cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Ossolano Cheese (Whole milk from two to four successive milkings), Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (Raw)
- Texture: Ossolano Cheese (Firm and springy with small, irregular eyes), Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (Grainy, flaky)
- Rind: Ossolano Cheese (Smooth, regular, straw yellow, darkens with age), Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (Hard)
- Aging: Ossolano Cheese (Minimum 60 days), Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (12 to 36 months)
- Taste: Ossolano Cheese (Harmonious and delicate, becomes more intense with age), Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (Umami)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Ossolano Cheese | Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Ossola Valley, Piedmont Region | Emilia-Romagna Region |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Whole milk from two to four successive milkings | Raw |
| Texture | Firm and springy with small, irregular eyes | Grainy, flaky |
| Rind | Smooth, regular, straw yellow, darkens with age | Hard |
| Aging | Minimum 60 days | 12 to 36 months |
| Taste | Harmonious and delicate, becomes more intense with age | Umami |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Ossolano Cheese | Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | — | Almonds, Amaro, Asparagus, Bresaola, Chicken, Clam Chowder, Cod, Madeira, Mushrooms, Pesto, Pistachios, Prosciutto, Roasted Vegetables, Sangiovese, Seaweed, Sweet Potato, Tomatoes |
| Other Good Pairings | — | Avocado, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cava, Champagne, Dijon Mustard, Dirty Martini, Dried Figs, Dried Fruit, Ginger, Honey, Honeycomb, Macaroni and Cheese, Malbec, Merlot, Muscat, Pecans, Prosecco, Pumpkin, Salami, Salmon, Scotch, Steak, Tequila |
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Where to buy Ossolano Cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese
Ossolano Cheese
Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Ossolano Cheese Taste Like Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
Ossolano Cheese reads as harmonious and delicate, becomes more intense with age, while Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese brings umami character. On the nose, Ossolano Cheese offers delicate but intense, floral notes, hints of nuts, contrasted with Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese's mild, milky. More specifically, Ossolano Cheese shows floral notes, hints of nuts, buttery diacetyl taste, ripe and dried fruit, vanilla, dog-roses, alpine flowers, spiciness, while Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese leans toward lactic (fermented milk), sweet (fresh cream, melted butter), fruity or citrusy (apricot, banana, dried fruits, lemon, pineapple), balanced by savory nutty (hazelnut, walnut) and meaty. Aging plays into this as well. Ossolano Cheese at minimum 60 days develops a different profile than Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese at 12 to 36 months.
Can You Substitute Ossolano Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
In most recipes, Ossolano Cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect firm and springy with small, irregular eyes bite and body where the recipe calls for grainy, flaky. Flavor-wise, Ossolano Cheese reads as harmonious and delicate, becomes more intense with age while Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese brings umami notes.
Which Is Better, Ossolano Cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a firm and springy with small, irregular eyes cheese, go with Ossolano Cheese. For a grainy, flaky profile, Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Ossolano Cheese suits recipes that want harmonious and delicate, becomes more intense with age notes, while Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese fits dishes calling for umami.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ossolano Cheese the same as Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Ossolano Cheese is typically aged minimum 60 days, Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese 12 to 36 months.
Is Ossolano Cheese similar to Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Ossolano Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Ossolano Cheese taste like Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
Ossolano Cheese reads as harmonious and delicate, becomes more intense with age, while Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese is umami. Aromas also diverge. Ossolano Cheese leans delicate but intense, floral notes, hints of nuts, and Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese is closer to mild, milky.
What is Ossolano Cheese made of?
Ossolano Cheese is made from cow milk (whole milk from two to four successive milkings). It's typically aged minimum 60 days.
What is Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese made of?
Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using calf rennet. It's typically aged 12 to 36 months. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Ossolano Cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Ossolano Cheese is firm and springy with small, irregular eyes, while Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese is grainy, flaky.
See full profiles: Ossolano Cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese.