Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese vs Pecorino Crotonese Cheese
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is a hard, dry and grainy cow-milk cheese, while Pecorino Crotonese Cheese is fresh - soft, regular, creamy; semi-hard - firm; ripened - slightly straw-colored, firm and made from sheep milk.
What Is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio is a long-aged Parmigiano Reggiano, the hard granular cow's milk cheese of Parma and Reggio Emilia. It is dry and grainy, with the sharp, salty, savory taste that makes it a grating cheese.
What Is Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?
Pecorino Crotonese is an Italian sheep's milk cheese and one of the pecorino varieties registered with the EU as a protected designation of origin. Pecorino is the family name for Italy's sheep's milk cheeses, and every region makes its own.
What's the Difference Between Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese and Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?
- Milk type: Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (cow), Pecorino Crotonese Cheese (Whole sheep's milk)
- Texture: Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (hard, dry and grainy), Pecorino Crotonese Cheese (Fresh - soft, regular, creamy; Semi-hard - firm; Ripened - slightly straw-colored, firm)
- Taste: Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (sharp, salty and savory), Pecorino Crotonese Cheese (Distinct, smooth, slightly tangy (fresh); Intense, well-balanced (semi-hard); Intense, distinct, slight piquant aftertaste (ripened))
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese | Pecorino Crotonese Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Specific Origin | Parma And Reggio Emilia, Italy | Provinces Of Crotone, Catanzaro, And Cosenza |
| Milk Type | Cow | Whole sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Raw, thermised, or pasteurised |
| Texture | Hard, dry and grainy | Fresh - soft, regular, creamy; Semi-hard - firm; Ripened - slightly straw-colored, firm |
| Rind | — | Fresh - thin; Semi-hard - thick, light brown; Ripened - hard, brown, may be coated with olive oil or olive dregs |
| Aging | — | Fresh, semi-hard, ripened (more than six months for ripened) |
| Taste | Sharp, salty and savory | Distinct, smooth, slightly tangy (fresh); Intense, well-balanced (semi-hard); Intense, distinct, slight piquant aftertaste (ripened) |
Taste Comparison: Does Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese Taste Like Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese reads as sharp, salty and savory, while Pecorino Crotonese Cheese brings distinct, smooth, slightly tangy (fresh); intense, well-balanced (semi-hard); intense, distinct, slight piquant aftertaste (ripened) character. More specifically, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese shows strong umami from a high glutamate content, while Pecorino Crotonese Cheese leans toward sheep's milk, hay, mature wild grasses, hazelnut, smoke.
Can You Substitute Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese for Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese can stand in for Pecorino Crotonese Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect hard, dry and grainy bite and body where the recipe calls for fresh - soft, regular, creamy; semi-hard - firm; ripened - slightly straw-colored, firm. Flavor-wise, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese reads as sharp, salty and savory while Pecorino Crotonese Cheese brings distinct, smooth, slightly tangy (fresh); intense, well-balanced (semi-hard); intense, distinct, slight piquant aftertaste (ripened) notes.
Which Is Better, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese or Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard, dry and grainy cheese, go with Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese. For a fresh - soft, regular, creamy; semi-hard - firm; ripened - slightly straw-colored, firm profile, Pecorino Crotonese Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, salty and savory notes, while Pecorino Crotonese Cheese fits dishes calling for distinct, smooth, slightly tangy (fresh); intense, well-balanced (semi-hard); intense, distinct, slight piquant aftertaste (ripened).
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese the same as Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is made from cow milk; Pecorino Crotonese Cheese uses sheep.
Is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese similar to Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese for Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese taste like Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese reads as sharp, salty and savory, while Pecorino Crotonese Cheese is distinct, smooth, slightly tangy (fresh); intense, well-balanced (semi-hard); intense, distinct, slight piquant aftertaste (ripened).
What is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese made of?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal (calf) rennet.
What is Pecorino Crotonese Cheese made of?
Pecorino Crotonese Cheese is made from sheep milk (raw, thermised, or pasteurised), using kid rennet pas rennet. It's typically aged fresh, semi-hard, ripened (more than six months for ripened).
Which should I choose, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese or Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy, while Pecorino Crotonese Cheese is fresh - soft, regular, creamy; semi-hard - firm; ripened - slightly straw-colored, firm.