Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese vs Queso de Valdeón
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is a hard, dry and grainy cow-milk cheese, while Queso de Valdeón is low elasticity, crumbly, melts in the mouth and made from cow, goat, and 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 Queso de Valdeón?
Queso de Valdeón is a Spanish blue cheese made in Posada de Valdeón, in the northeast of León province. It holds PGI status and is known for a very intense blue flavor that stays less biting than that of its cousin Cabrales.
What's the Difference Between Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese and Queso de Valdeón?
- Milk type: Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (cow), Queso de Valdeón (Cow’s, or a mix of cow’s, sheep’s, and goat’s milk)
- Milk treatment: Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (raw), Queso de Valdeón (Raw or pasteurized)
- Texture: Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (hard, dry and grainy), Queso de Valdeón (Low elasticity, crumbly, melts in the mouth)
- Taste: Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (sharp, salty and savory), Queso de Valdeón (Intense, salty, piquant, lightly ardent)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese | Queso de Valdeón | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | Spain |
| Specific Origin | Parma And Reggio Emilia, Italy | Posada De Valdeón, León |
| Milk Type | Cow | Cow’s, or a mix of cow’s, sheep’s, and goat’s milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Raw or pasteurized |
| Texture | Hard, dry and grainy | Low elasticity, crumbly, melts in the mouth |
| Rind | — | Natural, thin, yellowish-gray |
| Aging | — | Minimum 2 months (raw milk), 1 month (pasteurized milk) |
| Taste | Sharp, salty and savory | Intense, salty, piquant, lightly ardent |
Taste Comparison: Does Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese Taste Like Queso de Valdeón?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese reads as sharp, salty and savory, while Queso de Valdeón brings intense, salty, piquant, lightly ardent character. More specifically, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese shows strong umami from a high glutamate content, while Queso de Valdeón leans toward fruity, spicy, persistent mold aroma.
Can You Substitute Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese for Queso de Valdeón?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese can stand in for Queso de Valdeón 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 low elasticity, crumbly, melts in the mouth. Flavor-wise, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese reads as sharp, salty and savory while Queso de Valdeón brings intense, salty, piquant, lightly ardent notes.
Which Is Better, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese or Queso de Valdeón?
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 low elasticity, crumbly, melts in the mouth profile, Queso de Valdeón is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, salty and savory notes, while Queso de Valdeón fits dishes calling for intense, salty, piquant, lightly ardent.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese the same as Queso de Valdeón?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is made from cow milk; Queso de Valdeón uses cow, goat, and sheep.
Is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese similar to Queso de Valdeón?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese for Queso de Valdeón?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese taste like Queso de Valdeón?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese reads as sharp, salty and savory, while Queso de Valdeón is intense, salty, piquant, lightly ardent.
What is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese made of?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal (calf) rennet.
What is Queso de Valdeón made of?
Queso de Valdeón is made from cow, goat, and sheep milk (raw or pasteurized). It's typically aged minimum 2 months (raw milk), 1 month (pasteurized milk). It originates in Spain.
Which should I choose, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese or Queso de Valdeón?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy, while Queso de Valdeón is low elasticity, crumbly, melts in the mouth.