Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese vs Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is a hard, dry and grainy cow-milk cheese, while Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya is soft, creamy and made from cow 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 Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya?
Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya is a young, soft-paste cheese made from pasteurized Friesian cow's milk in La Seu d'Urgell, Catalonia. It is the only Catalan cheese with a Protected Designation of Origin, and it tastes light with a salty aftertaste.
What's the Difference Between Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese and Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya?
- Milk treatment: Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (raw), Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya (Pasteurized)
- Texture: Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (hard, dry and grainy), Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya (Soft, creamy)
- Taste: Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (sharp, salty and savory), Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya (Soft, clear, pleasant)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese | Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya | |
|---|---|---|
| Specific Origin | Parma And Reggio Emilia, Italy | Alto Urgel And Cerdanya, Catalonia |
| Milk Type | Cow | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Hard, dry and grainy | Soft, creamy |
| Rind | — | Natural, slightly moist, light brown |
| Aging | — | Up to one month |
| Taste | Sharp, salty and savory | Soft, clear, pleasant |
Taste Comparison: Does Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese Taste Like Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese reads as sharp, salty and savory, while Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya brings soft, clear, pleasant character. More specifically, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese shows strong umami from a high glutamate content, while Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya leans toward light, with a salty aftertaste and intense, persistent secondary aromas.
Can You Substitute Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese for Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya?
In most recipes, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese and Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect hard, dry and grainy bite and body where the recipe calls for soft, creamy. Flavor-wise, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese reads as sharp, salty and savory while Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya brings soft, clear, pleasant notes.
Which Is Better, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese or Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya?
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 soft, creamy profile, Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, salty and savory notes, while Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya fits dishes calling for soft, clear, pleasant.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese the same as Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya?
No, they're distinct cheeses.
Is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese similar to Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese for Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese taste like Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese reads as sharp, salty and savory, while Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya is soft, clear, pleasant.
What is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese made of?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal (calf) rennet.
What is Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya made of?
Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged up to one month.
Which should I choose, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese or Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy, while Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya is soft, creamy.