Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese vs Rocamadour Cheese
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is a hard, dry and grainy cow-milk cheese, while Rocamadour Cheese is soft and creamy; becomes drier (matured) and made from goat milk, originating in France.
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 Rocamadour Cheese?
Rocamadour is a very small raw goat's milk cheese from southwest France, named after the village of Rocamadour in the Lot. It is soft, creamy and white, weighs about 35 grams, and has carried AOC status since 1996.
What's the Difference Between Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese and Rocamadour Cheese?
- Milk type: Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (cow), Rocamadour Cheese (goat's milk)
- Milk treatment: Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (raw), Rocamadour Cheese (unpasteurized)
- Texture: Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (hard, dry and grainy), Rocamadour Cheese (Soft and creamy; becomes drier (matured))
- Taste: Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (sharp, salty and savory), Rocamadour Cheese (Mild; becomes stronger)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese | Rocamadour Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | France |
| Specific Origin | Parma And Reggio Emilia, Italy | Communes Of The Causses Du Quercy |
| Milk Type | Cow | Goat's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Hard, dry and grainy | Soft and creamy; becomes drier (matured) |
| Rind | — | White, soft (early); (matured) |
| Aging | — | Between 6 and 10 days; longer for drier, stronger flavor |
| Taste | Sharp, salty and savory | Mild; becomes stronger |
Taste Comparison: Does Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese Taste Like Rocamadour Cheese?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese reads as sharp, salty and savory, while Rocamadour Cheese brings mild; becomes stronger character. More specifically, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese shows strong umami from a high glutamate content, while Rocamadour Cheese leans toward creamy, buttery, distinctive goat smell.
Can You Substitute Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese for Rocamadour Cheese?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese can stand in for Rocamadour 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 soft and creamy; becomes drier (matured). Flavor-wise, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese reads as sharp, salty and savory while Rocamadour Cheese brings mild; becomes stronger notes.
Which Is Better, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese or Rocamadour 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 soft and creamy; becomes drier (matured) profile, Rocamadour Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, salty and savory notes, while Rocamadour Cheese fits dishes calling for mild; becomes stronger.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese the same as Rocamadour Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is made from cow milk; Rocamadour Cheese uses goat.
Is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese similar to Rocamadour Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese for Rocamadour Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese taste like Rocamadour Cheese?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese reads as sharp, salty and savory, while Rocamadour Cheese is mild; becomes stronger.
What is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese made of?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal (calf) rennet.
What is Rocamadour Cheese made of?
Rocamadour Cheese is made from goat milk (unpasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged between 6 and 10 days; longer for drier, stronger flavor. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese or Rocamadour Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy, while Rocamadour Cheese is soft and creamy; becomes drier (matured).