Parmesan Cheese vs Pecorino Siciliano Cheese

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

Pecorino siciliano is a firm sheep milk cheese from Sicily. It goes back to the classical Greek world, when it was counted among the best cheeses anywhere, and it holds European PDO status today.

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

• Milk type: Parmesan Cheese (Cow's milk), Pecorino Siciliano Cheese (Sheep's milk)
• Milk treatment: Parmesan Cheese (unpasteurized), Pecorino Siciliano Cheese (Raw)
• Texture: Parmesan Cheese (Hard), Pecorino Siciliano Cheese (Semi-hard)
• Rind: Parmesan Cheese (natural), Pecorino Siciliano Cheese (White to light yellow)
• Aging: Parmesan Cheese (minimum 12 months, average 2 years), Pecorino Siciliano Cheese (At least 4 months, up to over 12 months)
• Taste: Parmesan Cheese (salty, savory), Pecorino Siciliano Cheese (Varies from fresh and floral to fruity and spicy with age)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Parmesan Cheese reads as salty, savory, while Pecorino Siciliano Cheese brings varies from fresh and floral to fruity and spicy with age character. More specifically, Parmesan Cheese shows sharp, salty, savory, strong umami, while Pecorino Siciliano Cheese leans toward fresh, floral, fruity, spicy. Aging plays into this as well. Parmesan Cheese at minimum 12 months, average 2 years develops a different profile than Pecorino Siciliano Cheese at at least 4 months, up to over 12 months.

Can You Substitute Parmesan Cheese for Pecorino Siciliano Cheese?

Parmesan Cheese can stand in for Pecorino Siciliano Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect hard bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard. Flavor-wise, Parmesan Cheese reads as salty, savory while Pecorino Siciliano Cheese brings varies from fresh and floral to fruity and spicy with age notes.

Which Is Better, Parmesan Cheese or Pecorino Siciliano Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard cheese, go with Parmesan Cheese. For a semi-hard profile, Pecorino Siciliano Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Parmesan Cheese suits recipes that want salty, savory notes, while Pecorino Siciliano Cheese fits dishes calling for varies from fresh and floral to fruity and spicy with age.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Parmesan Cheese the same as Pecorino Siciliano Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Parmesan Cheese is made from cow milk; Pecorino Siciliano Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Parmesan Cheese is typically aged minimum 12 months, average 2 years, Pecorino Siciliano Cheese at least 4 months, up to over 12 months.

Is Parmesan Cheese similar to Pecorino Siciliano Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Parmesan Cheese for Pecorino Siciliano Cheese?

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

Does Parmesan Cheese taste like Pecorino Siciliano Cheese?

Parmesan Cheese reads as salty, savory, while Pecorino Siciliano Cheese is varies from fresh and floral to fruity and spicy with age.

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 Siciliano Cheese made of?

Pecorino Siciliano Cheese is made from sheep milk (raw), using lamb's rennet. It's typically aged at least 4 months, up to over 12 months. It originates in Italy.

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

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Parmesan Cheese is hard, while Pecorino Siciliano Cheese is semi-hard.