Pasta Filata Cheese vs Torta del Casar Cheese
Pasta Filata Cheese is a soft, elastic and stringy, fibrous cow or buffalo-milk cheese, while Torta del Casar Cheese is very soft and spreadable and made from sheep milk, originating in Spain.
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 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 Pasta Filata Cheese and Torta del Casar Cheese?
- Milk type: Pasta Filata Cheese (cow, water buffalo), Torta del Casar Cheese (sheep's milk)
- Texture: Pasta Filata Cheese (soft, elastic and stringy, fibrous), Torta del Casar Cheese (Very soft and spreadable)
- Aging: Pasta Filata Cheese (fresh for mozzarella, aged for provolone, caciocavallo and scamorza), Torta del Casar Cheese (About two months)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Pasta Filata Cheese | Torta del Casar Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | Spain |
| Specific Origin | Italy | Extremadura |
| Milk Type | Cow, water buffalo | Sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Soft, elastic and stringy, fibrous | Very soft and spreadable |
| Rind | — | Dry but slightly sticky |
| Aging | Fresh for mozzarella, aged for provolone, caciocavallo and scamorza | About two months |
| Taste | — | Rich, slightly bitter |
Taste Comparison: Does Pasta Filata Cheese Taste Like Torta del Casar 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 Torta del Casar Cheese at about two months.
Can You Substitute Pasta Filata Cheese for Torta del Casar Cheese?
Pasta Filata Cheese can stand in for Torta del Casar 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 very soft and spreadable.
Which Is Better, Pasta Filata 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 soft, elastic and stringy, fibrous cheese, go with Pasta Filata Cheese. For a very soft and spreadable profile, Torta del Casar Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pasta Filata Cheese the same as Torta del Casar Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Pasta Filata Cheese is made from cow or buffalo milk; Torta del Casar Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Pasta Filata Cheese is typically aged fresh for mozzarella, aged for provolone, caciocavallo and scamorza, Torta del Casar Cheese about two months.
Is Pasta Filata Cheese similar to Torta del Casar Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Pasta Filata Cheese for Torta del Casar Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Pasta Filata Cheese taste like Torta del Casar 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 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, Pasta Filata Cheese or Torta del Casar Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Pasta Filata Cheese is soft, elastic and stringy, fibrous, while Torta del Casar Cheese is very soft and spreadable.