Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese vs Swaledale Cheese
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is a hard, dry and grainy cow-milk cheese, while Swaledale Cheese is moist, medium firm and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk, originating in England.
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 Swaledale Cheese?
Swaledale is a full fat hard cheese from Richmond in Swaledale, North Yorkshire, made with unpasteurised cow, sheep or goat milk. It is known for its moist medium firm texture and a rind of grey-blue mould or natural wax.
What's the Difference Between Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese and Swaledale Cheese?
- Milk type: Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (cow), Swaledale Cheese (cow, sheep, goat)
- Texture: Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (hard, dry and grainy), Swaledale Cheese (moist, medium firm)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese | Swaledale Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | England |
| Specific Origin | Parma And Reggio Emilia, Italy | Swaledale, North Yorkshire |
| Milk Type | Cow | Cow, sheep, goat |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Raw |
| Texture | Hard, dry and grainy | Moist, medium firm |
| Rind | — | Grey-blue mould or natural wax |
| Aging | — | 3 to 4 weeks |
| Taste | Sharp, salty and savory | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese Taste Like Swaledale Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese shows strong umami from a high glutamate content, while Swaledale Cheese leans toward fresh and bracken-like, with a sweet caramel undertone from ewes' milk.
Can You Substitute Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese for Swaledale Cheese?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese can stand in for Swaledale 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 moist, medium firm.
Which Is Better, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese or Swaledale 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 moist, medium firm profile, Swaledale Cheese is the better fit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese the same as Swaledale Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is made from cow milk; Swaledale Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep.
Is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese similar to Swaledale Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese for Swaledale Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese taste like Swaledale Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese made of?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal (calf) rennet.
What is Swaledale Cheese made of?
Swaledale Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (raw), using rennet added after culturing rennet. It's typically aged 3 to 4 weeks. It originates in England.
Which should I choose, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese or Swaledale Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy, while Swaledale Cheese is moist, medium firm.