Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese vs San Simón da Costa Cheese
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is a hard, dry and grainy cow-milk cheese, while San Simón da Costa Cheese is semi-hard and creamy, with small irregular holes 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 San Simón da Costa Cheese?
San Simón da Costa is a smoked cow's milk cheese from the Terra Chá region of Galicia, Spain. It is pressed into a pear shape, smoked over birch wood, and has held Protected Designation of Origin status since 2008.
What's the Difference Between Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese and San Simón da Costa Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (raw), San Simón da Costa Cheese (raw or pasteurized)
- Texture: Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (hard, dry and grainy), San Simón da Costa Cheese (semi-hard and creamy, with small irregular holes)
- Taste: Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (sharp, salty and savory), San Simón da Costa Cheese (mild, slightly salty, smoky)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese | San Simón da Costa Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Specific Origin | Parma And Reggio Emilia, Italy | Terra Chá, Galicia, Spain |
| Milk Type | Cow | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Raw or pasteurized |
| Texture | Hard, dry and grainy | Semi-hard and creamy, with small irregular holes |
| Rind | — | Smooth, hard, waxy, brown, 1 to 3 mm thick |
| Aging | — | At least 30 days ('bufón') or 45 days |
| Taste | Sharp, salty and savory | Mild, slightly salty, smoky |
Taste Comparison: Does Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese Taste Like San Simón da Costa Cheese?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese reads as sharp, salty and savory, while San Simón da Costa Cheese brings mild, slightly salty, smoky character. More specifically, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese shows strong umami from a high glutamate content, while San Simón da Costa Cheese leans toward mild with a hint of spiciness, slightly salty, birch smoke.
Can You Substitute Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese for San Simón da Costa Cheese?
In most recipes, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese and San Simón da Costa Cheese 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 semi-hard and creamy, with small irregular holes. Flavor-wise, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese reads as sharp, salty and savory while San Simón da Costa Cheese brings mild, slightly salty, smoky notes.
Which Is Better, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese or San Simón da Costa 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 and creamy, with small irregular holes profile, San Simón da Costa Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, salty and savory notes, while San Simón da Costa Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, slightly salty, smoky.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese the same as San Simón da Costa Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses.
Is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese similar to San Simón da Costa Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese for San Simón da Costa Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese taste like San Simón da Costa Cheese?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese reads as sharp, salty and savory, while San Simón da Costa Cheese is mild, slightly salty, smoky.
What is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese made of?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal (calf) rennet.
What is San Simón da Costa Cheese made of?
San Simón da Costa Cheese is made from cow milk (raw or pasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged at least 30 days ('bufón') or 45 days.
Which should I choose, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese or San Simón da Costa Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy, while San Simón da Costa Cheese is semi-hard and creamy, with small irregular holes.