Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese vs Torta del Casar Cheese

Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is a hard, dry and grainy cow-milk cheese, while Torta del Casar Cheese is very soft and spreadable and made from sheep milk, originating in Spain.

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 Torta del Casar Cheese?

Torta del Casar is a sheep's milk cheese from Extremadura, Spain, curdled with cardoon thistle rather than animal rennet. Aged at least sixty days, it goes creamy in the center, so it is eaten by slicing off the top and scooping out the inside.

What's the Difference Between Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese and Torta del Casar Cheese?

• Milk type: Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (cow), Torta del Casar Cheese (sheep's milk)
• Milk treatment: Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (raw), Torta del Casar Cheese (unpasteurized)
• Texture: Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (hard, dry and grainy), Torta del Casar Cheese (Very soft and spreadable)
• Taste: Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (sharp, salty and savory), Torta del Casar Cheese (Rich, slightly bitter)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese Taste Like Torta del Casar Cheese?

Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese reads as sharp, salty and savory, while Torta del Casar Cheese brings rich, slightly bitter character. More specifically, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese shows strong umami from a high glutamate content, while Torta del Casar Cheese leans toward influenced by the use of cardoon flower for coagulation.

Can You Substitute Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese for Torta del Casar Cheese?

Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese can stand in for Torta del Casar 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 very soft and spreadable. Flavor-wise, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese reads as sharp, salty and savory while Torta del Casar Cheese brings rich, slightly bitter notes.

Which Is Better, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese or Torta del Casar 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 very soft and spreadable profile, Torta del Casar Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, salty and savory notes, while Torta del Casar Cheese fits dishes calling for rich, slightly bitter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese the same as Torta del Casar Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is made from cow milk; Torta del Casar Cheese uses sheep.

Is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese similar to Torta del Casar Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese for Torta del Casar Cheese?

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

Does Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese taste like Torta del Casar Cheese?

Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese reads as sharp, salty and savory, while Torta del Casar Cheese is rich, slightly bitter.

What is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese made of?

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

What is Torta del Casar Cheese made of?

Torta del Casar Cheese is made from sheep milk (unpasteurized), using cardoon flower (cynara cardunculus) rennet. It's typically aged about two months. It originates in Spain.

Which should I choose, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese or Torta del Casar Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy, while Torta del Casar Cheese is very soft and spreadable.