Parmesan Cheese vs Pecorino di Picinisco Cheese
Parmesan Cheese is a hard cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Pecorino di Picinisco Cheese is hard and made from goat or sheep milk, originating in Italy.
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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 Picinisco Cheese?
Pecorino di Picinisco is produced in the Lazio and Abruzzo regions of Italy. This cheese is made from the milk of sheep that graze on the rich, diverse pastures of the area, giving it a distinctive, aromatic flavor. It has a semi-hard texture and is typically aged for a minimum of four months.
What's the Difference Between Parmesan Cheese and Pecorino di Picinisco Cheese?
- Milk type: Parmesan Cheese (Cow's milk), Pecorino di Picinisco Cheese (Sheep's milk, sometimes with goat's milk)
- Milk treatment: Parmesan Cheese (unpasteurized), Pecorino di Picinisco Cheese (Raw)
- Rind: Parmesan Cheese (natural), Pecorino di Picinisco Cheese (Straw-colored, thin, rough)
- Aging: Parmesan Cheese (minimum 12 months, average 2 years), Pecorino di Picinisco Cheese (Lamb or kid rennet paste)
- Taste: Parmesan Cheese (salty, savory), Pecorino di Picinisco Cheese (Mild for scamosciato, strong for stagionato)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Parmesan Cheese | Pecorino di Picinisco Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Parma And Reggio Emilia, Emilia-Romagna, Italy | Comino Valley, Frosinone |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Sheep's milk, sometimes with goat's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Hard | Hard |
| Rind | Natural | Straw-colored, thin, rough |
| Aging | Minimum 12 months, average 2 years | Lamb or kid rennet paste |
| Taste | Salty, savory | Mild for scamosciato, strong for stagionato |
Taste Comparison: Does Parmesan Cheese Taste Like Pecorino di Picinisco Cheese?
Parmesan Cheese reads as salty, savory, while Pecorino di Picinisco Cheese brings mild for scamosciato, strong for stagionato character. On the nose, Parmesan Cheese offers nutty, strong, contrasted with Pecorino di Picinisco Cheese's white to straw yellow, straw. More specifically, Parmesan Cheese shows sharp, salty, savory, strong umami, while Pecorino di Picinisco Cheese leans toward mountain pasture aroma. Aging plays into this as well. Parmesan Cheese at minimum 12 months, average 2 years develops a different profile than Pecorino di Picinisco Cheese at lamb or kid rennet paste.
Can You Substitute Parmesan Cheese for Pecorino di Picinisco Cheese?
Parmesan Cheese can stand in for Pecorino di Picinisco 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 Picinisco Cheese brings mild for scamosciato, strong for stagionato notes.
Which Is Better, Parmesan Cheese or Pecorino di Picinisco 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 Picinisco Cheese fits dishes calling for mild for scamosciato, strong for stagionato.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Parmesan Cheese the same as Pecorino di Picinisco Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Parmesan Cheese is made from cow milk; Pecorino di Picinisco Cheese uses goat or sheep. Aging also differs: Parmesan Cheese is typically aged minimum 12 months, average 2 years, Pecorino di Picinisco Cheese lamb or kid rennet paste.
Is Parmesan Cheese similar to Pecorino di Picinisco Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Parmesan Cheese for Pecorino di Picinisco Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Parmesan Cheese taste like Pecorino di Picinisco Cheese?
Parmesan Cheese reads as salty, savory, while Pecorino di Picinisco Cheese is mild for scamosciato, strong for stagionato. Aromas also diverge. Parmesan Cheese leans nutty, strong, and Pecorino di Picinisco Cheese is closer to white to straw yellow, straw.
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 Picinisco Cheese made of?
Pecorino di Picinisco Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk (raw). It's typically aged lamb or kid rennet paste. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Parmesan Cheese or Pecorino di Picinisco Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.