Parmesan Cheese vs Pecorino di Filiano Cheese

Parmesan Cheese is a hard cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Pecorino di Filiano Cheese is hard and made from sheep milk, originating in Italy.

What Is Parmesan Cheese?

Parmesan, or Parmigiano Reggiano, is a hard granular cow's milk cheese from northern Italy, aged at least 12 months. It is known for its sharp, salty, savory taste, which comes from an unusually high level of glutamate.

What Is Pecorino di Filiano Cheese?

Pecorino di Filiano is a firm sheep milk cheese made in the province of Potenza, in Basilicata, southern Italy. It has held protected designation of origin status since 2007, and the village of Filiano celebrates it with a festival each September.

What's the Difference Between Parmesan Cheese and Pecorino di Filiano Cheese?

• Milk type: Parmesan Cheese (Cow's milk), Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Sheep's milk)
• Milk treatment: Parmesan Cheese (unpasteurized), Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Raw)
• Rind: Parmesan Cheese (natural), Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Golden yellow to dark brown)
• Aging: Parmesan Cheese (minimum 12 months, average 2 years), Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Two to five months, over six months)
• Taste: Parmesan Cheese (salty, savory), Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Sweet and delicate to strong and savoury)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Parmesan Cheese Taste Like Pecorino di Filiano Cheese?

Parmesan Cheese reads as salty, savory, while Pecorino di Filiano Cheese brings sweet and delicate to strong and savoury character. More specifically, Parmesan Cheese shows sharp, salty, savory, strong umami, while Pecorino di Filiano Cheese leans toward sweet in semi-aged, savoury in aged. Aging plays into this as well. Parmesan Cheese at minimum 12 months, average 2 years develops a different profile than Pecorino di Filiano Cheese at two to five months, over six months.

Can You Substitute Parmesan Cheese for Pecorino di Filiano Cheese?

Parmesan Cheese can stand in for Pecorino di Filiano Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Flavor-wise, Parmesan Cheese reads as salty, savory while Pecorino di Filiano Cheese brings sweet and delicate to strong and savoury notes.

Which Is Better, Parmesan Cheese or Pecorino di Filiano Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. Flavor-wise, Parmesan Cheese suits recipes that want salty, savory notes, while Pecorino di Filiano Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet and delicate to strong and savoury.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Parmesan Cheese the same as Pecorino di Filiano Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Parmesan Cheese is made from cow milk; Pecorino di Filiano Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Parmesan Cheese is typically aged minimum 12 months, average 2 years, Pecorino di Filiano Cheese two to five months, over six months.

Is Parmesan Cheese similar to Pecorino di Filiano Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Parmesan Cheese for Pecorino di Filiano Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Parmesan Cheese taste like Pecorino di Filiano Cheese?

Parmesan Cheese reads as salty, savory, while Pecorino di Filiano Cheese is sweet and delicate to strong and savoury.

What is Parmesan Cheese made of?

Parmesan Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using animal (calf rennet) rennet. It's typically aged minimum 12 months, average 2 years. It originates in Italy.

What is Pecorino di Filiano Cheese made of?

Pecorino di Filiano Cheese is made from sheep milk (raw), using goat or lamb rennet. It's typically aged two to five months, over six months. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Parmesan Cheese or Pecorino di Filiano Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.