Parmesan Cheese vs Pecorino Sardo Cheese

Parmesan Cheese is a hard cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Pecorino Sardo 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 Sardo Cheese?

Pecorino sardo is a firm sheep milk cheese from Sardinia, made with milk from the island's local Sarda sheep and curdled with calf's rennet. It comes in two versions: dolce, aged 20 to 60 days, and maturo, aged more than two months and sharper in taste.

What's the Difference Between Parmesan Cheese and Pecorino Sardo Cheese?

• Milk type: Parmesan Cheese (Cow's milk), Pecorino Sardo Cheese (Sheep's milk)
• Milk treatment: Parmesan Cheese (unpasteurized), Pecorino Sardo Cheese (Pasteurized or Thermized)
• Rind: Parmesan Cheese (natural), Pecorino Sardo Cheese (Pale yellow to mahogany)
• Aging: Parmesan Cheese (minimum 12 months, average 2 years), Pecorino Sardo Cheese (20 to 60 days for Dolce, At least 60 days for Maturo)
• Taste: Parmesan Cheese (salty, savory), Pecorino Sardo Cheese (Mild and sweet for Dolce, More piquant and pronounced in salt for Maturo)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Parmesan Cheese Taste Like Pecorino Sardo Cheese?

Parmesan Cheese reads as salty, savory, while Pecorino Sardo Cheese brings mild and sweet for dolce, more piquant and pronounced in salt for maturo character. On the nose, Parmesan Cheese offers nutty, strong, contrasted with Pecorino Sardo Cheese's sheep's milk and hay for dolce. More specifically, Parmesan Cheese shows sharp, salty, savory, strong umami, while Pecorino Sardo Cheese leans toward sharpness increases with longer maturation. Aging plays into this as well. Parmesan Cheese at minimum 12 months, average 2 years develops a different profile than Pecorino Sardo Cheese at 20 to 60 days for dolce, at least 60 days for maturo.

Can You Substitute Parmesan Cheese for Pecorino Sardo Cheese?

Parmesan Cheese can stand in for Pecorino Sardo 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 Sardo Cheese brings mild and sweet for dolce, more piquant and pronounced in salt for maturo notes.

Which Is Better, Parmesan Cheese or Pecorino Sardo 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 Sardo Cheese fits dishes calling for mild and sweet for dolce, more piquant and pronounced in salt for maturo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Parmesan Cheese the same as Pecorino Sardo Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Parmesan Cheese is made from cow milk; Pecorino Sardo Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Parmesan Cheese is typically aged minimum 12 months, average 2 years, Pecorino Sardo Cheese 20 to 60 days for dolce, at least 60 days for maturo.

Is Parmesan Cheese similar to Pecorino Sardo Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Parmesan Cheese for Pecorino Sardo Cheese?

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

Does Parmesan Cheese taste like Pecorino Sardo Cheese?

Parmesan Cheese reads as salty, savory, while Pecorino Sardo Cheese is mild and sweet for dolce, more piquant and pronounced in salt for maturo. Aromas also diverge. Parmesan Cheese leans nutty, strong, and Pecorino Sardo Cheese is closer to sheep's milk and hay for dolce.

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 Sardo Cheese made of?

Pecorino Sardo Cheese is made from sheep milk (pasteurized or thermized), using calf rennet. It's typically aged 20 to 60 days for dolce, at least 60 days for maturo. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Parmesan Cheese or Pecorino Sardo Cheese?

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