Parmesan Cheese vs Sardo Cheese
Parmesan Cheese
Sardo Cheese
Parmesan Cheese is a hard cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Sardo Cheese is hard and made from cow milk, originating in Argentina.
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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 Sardo Cheese?
Sardo is a hard grating cheese from Argentina, made with cow's milk. The taste is mellow, rich and lightly salty, close to pecorino romano but not as sharp, and it is sold in blocks of about 6.5 pounds (2.9 kg).
What's the Difference Between Parmesan Cheese and Sardo Cheese?
- Origin: Parmesan Cheese (Italy), Sardo Cheese (Argentina)
- Milk treatment: Parmesan Cheese (unpasteurized), Sardo Cheese (pasteurized)
- Taste: Parmesan Cheese (salty, savory), Sardo Cheese (full-flavored, salty, sharp)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Parmesan Cheese | Sardo Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Argentina |
| Specific Origin | Parma And Reggio Emilia, Emilia-Romagna, Italy | Argentina |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Hard | Hard |
| Rind | Natural | Natural |
| Aging | Minimum 12 months, average 2 years | — |
| Taste | Salty, savory | Full-flavored, salty, sharp |
Taste Comparison: Does Parmesan Cheese Taste Like Sardo Cheese?
Parmesan Cheese reads as salty, savory, while Sardo Cheese brings full-flavored, salty, sharp character. More specifically, Parmesan Cheese shows sharp, salty, savory, strong umami, while Sardo Cheese leans toward mellow, rich, lightly salty.
Can You Substitute Parmesan Cheese for Sardo Cheese?
In most recipes, Parmesan Cheese and Sardo Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Flavor-wise, Parmesan Cheese reads as salty, savory while Sardo Cheese brings full-flavored, salty, sharp notes.
Which Is Better, Parmesan Cheese or 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 Sardo Cheese fits dishes calling for full-flavored, salty, sharp.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Parmesan Cheese the same as Sardo Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Parmesan Cheese originates in Italy, while Sardo Cheese comes from Argentina.
Is Parmesan Cheese similar to Sardo Cheese?
Yes, they share close profiles. Same milk base and similar texture make them workable alternatives in many recipes.
Can I substitute Parmesan Cheese for Sardo Cheese?
Yes, quite easily. The milk base and texture are close enough that most recipes won't notice the swap.
Does Parmesan Cheese taste like Sardo Cheese?
Parmesan Cheese reads as salty, savory, while Sardo Cheese is full-flavored, salty, sharp.
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 Sardo Cheese made of?
Sardo Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using animal rennet. It originates in Argentina.
Which should I choose, Parmesan Cheese or Sardo Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.