Pasta Filata Cheese vs Pecorino Cheese
Pasta Filata Cheese is a soft, elastic and stringy, fibrous cow or buffalo-milk cheese, while Pecorino Cheese is hard and made from sheep milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Pasta Filata Cheese?
Pasta filata is the Italian spun-curd technique behind mozzarella, provolone, caciocavallo and scamorza. Fresh curd is kneaded in hot water until it turns soft, elastic and stringy, which gives the finished cheese its fibrous structure.
What Is Pecorino Cheese?
Pecorino is an Italian hard cheese made from sheep's milk, and its name comes from pecora, the Italian word for sheep. Six main varieties carry PDO status, with Pecorino Romano the best known outside Italy.
What's the Difference Between Pasta Filata Cheese and Pecorino Cheese?
- Milk type: Pasta Filata Cheese (cow, water buffalo), Pecorino Cheese (sheep's milk)
- Texture: Pasta Filata Cheese (soft, elastic and stringy, fibrous), Pecorino Cheese (hard)
- Aging: Pasta Filata Cheese (fresh for mozzarella, aged for provolone, caciocavallo and scamorza), Pecorino Cheese (fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Pasta Filata Cheese | Pecorino Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Milk Type | Cow, water buffalo | Sheep's milk |
| Texture | Soft, elastic and stringy, fibrous | Hard |
| Aging | Fresh for mozzarella, aged for provolone, caciocavallo and scamorza | Fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato |
Taste Comparison: Does Pasta Filata Cheese Taste Like Pecorino Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Pasta Filata Cheese at fresh for mozzarella, aged for provolone, caciocavallo and scamorza develops a different profile than Pecorino Cheese at fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato.
Can You Substitute Pasta Filata Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?
Pasta Filata Cheese can stand in for Pecorino Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, elastic and stringy, fibrous bite and body where the recipe calls for hard.
Which Is Better, Pasta Filata Cheese or Pecorino Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, elastic and stringy, fibrous cheese, go with Pasta Filata Cheese. For a hard profile, Pecorino Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pasta Filata Cheese the same as Pecorino Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Pasta Filata Cheese is made from cow or buffalo milk; Pecorino Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Pasta Filata Cheese is typically aged fresh for mozzarella, aged for provolone, caciocavallo and scamorza, Pecorino Cheese fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato.
Is Pasta Filata Cheese similar to Pecorino Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Pasta Filata Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Pasta Filata Cheese taste like Pecorino Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Pasta Filata Cheese made of?
Pasta Filata Cheese is made from cow or buffalo milk. It's typically aged fresh for mozzarella, aged for provolone, caciocavallo and scamorza.
What is Pecorino Cheese made of?
Pecorino Cheese is made from sheep milk. It's typically aged fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Pasta Filata Cheese or Pecorino Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Pasta Filata Cheese is soft, elastic and stringy, fibrous, while Pecorino Cheese is hard.