Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese vs Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is a hard, dry and grainy cow-milk cheese, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens and made from cow, goat, or sheep 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 Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
Tomme des Pyrénées is a mild pressed cheese from the French Pyrenees, made from raw or pasteurized cow's milk. It is known for its supple paste, slightly salty taste, and the black or gold wax skin that covers many wheels.
What's the Difference Between Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese and Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
- Milk type: Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (cow), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Cow's milk, goat's milk, mixed milk (cow's milk with ewe's milk or goat's milk, goat's milk with ewe's milk))
- Texture: Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (hard, dry and grainy), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens)
- Taste: Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (sharp, salty and savory), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese | Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Specific Origin | Parma And Reggio Emilia, Italy | French Side Of The Pyrenees |
| Milk Type | Cow | Cow's milk, goat's milk, mixed milk (cow's milk with ewe's milk or goat's milk, goat's milk with ewe's milk) |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Heat-treated or raw |
| Texture | Hard, dry and grainy | Soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens |
| Rind | — | Orange with hints of white, yellow, or grey; black or gold coating for heat-treated milk cheeses |
| Aging | — | Minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type |
| Taste | Sharp, salty and savory | Varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas |
Taste Comparison: Does Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese Taste Like Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese reads as sharp, salty and savory, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese brings varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas character. More specifically, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese shows strong umami from a high glutamate content, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese leans toward not excessively bitter.
Can You Substitute Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese for Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese can stand in for Tomme des Pyrénées 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, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens. Flavor-wise, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese reads as sharp, salty and savory while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese brings varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas notes.
Which Is Better, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese or Tomme des Pyrénées 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, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens profile, Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, salty and savory notes, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese fits dishes calling for varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese the same as Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is made from cow milk; Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep.
Is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese similar to Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese for Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese taste like Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese reads as sharp, salty and savory, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas.
What is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese made of?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal (calf) rennet.
What is Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese made of?
Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (heat-treated or raw), using coagulating enzyme (not limited to animal rennet) rennet. It's typically aged minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type.
Which should I choose, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese or Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens.