Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese vs Rabacal Cheese

Q: Is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese the same as Rabacal Cheese?

No. Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese and Rabacal Cheese are distinct cheeses. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese for Rabacal Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese for Rabacal Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Which should I choose, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese or Rabacal Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is a hard, dry and grainy cow-milk cheese, while Rabacal Cheese is semi-hard, artisan and made from goat and sheep milk, originating in Portugal.

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 Rabacal Cheese?

Rabaçal is a Portuguese sheep's and goat's milk cheese from the village of Rabaçal in the Coimbra district, protected as a DOP since 1996. It is sold mainly as a hard cheese with a delicate, balanced taste that sharpens as it ages.

What's the Difference Between Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese and Rabacal Cheese?

Milk type: Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (cow), Rabacal Cheese (goat's and sheep's milk)
Texture: Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (hard, dry and grainy), Rabacal Cheese (semi-hard, artisan)
Taste: Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (sharp, salty and savory), Rabacal Cheese (smooth)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese	Rabacal Cheese
Country of Origin	—	Portugal
Specific Origin	Parma And Reggio Emilia, Italy	Rabaçal, Coimbra District, Portugal
Milk Type	Cow	Goat's and sheep's milk
Milk Treatment	Raw	—
Texture	Hard, dry and grainy	Semi-hard, artisan
Rind	—	Smooth, dry to slightly oily
Taste	Sharp, salty and savory	Smooth

Taste Comparison: Does Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese Taste Like Rabacal Cheese?

Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese reads as sharp, salty and savory, while Rabacal Cheese brings smooth character. More specifically, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese shows strong umami from a high glutamate content, while Rabacal Cheese leans toward delicate and balanced, stronger and more aromatic with age.

Can You Substitute Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese for Rabacal Cheese?

Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese can stand in for Rabacal 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 semi-hard, artisan. Flavor-wise, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese reads as sharp, salty and savory while Rabacal Cheese brings smooth notes.

Which Is Better, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese or Rabacal 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 semi-hard, artisan profile, Rabacal Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, salty and savory notes, while Rabacal Cheese fits dishes calling for smooth.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese the same as Rabacal Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is made from cow milk; Rabacal Cheese uses goat and sheep.

Is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese similar to Rabacal Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese for Rabacal Cheese?

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

Does Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese taste like Rabacal Cheese?

Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese reads as sharp, salty and savory, while Rabacal Cheese is smooth.

What is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese made of?

Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal (calf) rennet.

What is Rabacal Cheese made of?

Rabacal Cheese is made from goat and sheep milk, using animal rennet. It originates in Portugal.

Which should I choose, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese or Rabacal Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy, while Rabacal Cheese is semi-hard, artisan.