Parmesan Cheese vs Pecorino Cheese
Parmesan Cheese
Pecorino Cheese
Parmesan Cheese is a hard, artisan cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Pecorino 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 Cheese?
Pecorino is an Italian hard cheese made from sheep's milk, and its name comes from pecora, the Italian word for sheep. Six main varieties carry PDO status, with Pecorino Romano the best known outside Italy.
What's the Difference Between Parmesan Cheese and Pecorino Cheese?
- Milk type: Parmesan Cheese (cow's milk), Pecorino Cheese (sheep's milk)
- Texture: Parmesan Cheese (hard, artisan), Pecorino Cheese (hard)
- Aging: Parmesan Cheese (minimum 12 months, average 2 years), Pecorino Cheese (fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Parmesan Cheese | Pecorino Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Parma And Reggio Emilia, Emilia-Romagna, Italy | Italy |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | — |
| Texture | Hard, artisan | Hard |
| Rind | Natural | — |
| Aging | Minimum 12 months, average 2 years | Fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato |
| Taste | Salty, savory | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Parmesan Cheese Taste Like Pecorino Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Parmesan Cheese shows sharp, salty, savory, strong umami, while Pecorino Cheese leans toward buttery, nutty, mild cream and milk. Aging plays into this as well. Parmesan Cheese at minimum 12 months, average 2 years develops a different profile than Pecorino Cheese at fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato.
Can You Substitute Parmesan Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?
Parmesan Cheese can stand in for Pecorino Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect hard, artisan bite and body where the recipe calls for hard.
Which Is Better, Parmesan Cheese or Pecorino Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard, artisan cheese, go with Parmesan Cheese. For a hard profile, Pecorino Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Parmesan Cheese the same as Pecorino Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Parmesan Cheese is made from cow milk; Pecorino Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Parmesan Cheese is typically aged minimum 12 months, average 2 years, Pecorino Cheese fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato.
Is Parmesan Cheese similar to Pecorino Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Parmesan Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Parmesan Cheese taste like Pecorino Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
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 Cheese made of?
Pecorino Cheese is made from sheep milk. It's typically aged fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Parmesan Cheese or Pecorino Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Parmesan Cheese is hard, artisan, while Pecorino Cheese is hard.