Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese vs Pecorino Siciliano Cheese
Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese is a compact structure with negligible friability, possibly with some holes sheep-milk cheese, while Pecorino Siciliano Cheese is hard and compact and made from sheep milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese?
Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane is a cheese from Italy, specifically produced in the province of Pisa. It is made from raw, whole sheep's milk and uses vegetable rennet derived from wild cardoon or artichoke inflorescences. The cheese is available in four types based on maturation: fresh, semi-mature, mature, and extra-mature. The cheese has a cylindrical shape with a rind that ranges from pale straw yellow to deep yellow, and it can be coated in olive oil and ash. It has a compact texture with a flavor that is initially mild, with scents of milk and flowers, and a slightly spicy aftertaste. The cheese is known for its aroma reminiscent of milk and wild cardoon, with scents of aromatic plants and yellow flowers.
What Is Pecorino Siciliano Cheese?
Pecorino siciliano is a firm sheep milk cheese from Sicily. It goes back to the classical Greek world, when it was counted among the best cheeses anywhere, and it holds European PDO status today.
What's the Difference Between Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese and Pecorino Siciliano Cheese?
- Texture: Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese (Compact structure with negligible friability, possibly with some holes), Pecorino Siciliano Cheese (Hard and compact)
- Rind: Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese (Ranges from pale straw yellow to deep yellow; can be coated in olive oil and ash), Pecorino Siciliano Cheese (White to light yellow)
- Aging: Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese (Fresh (7-44 days), Semi-mature (45 days to 6 months), Mature (6 to 12 months), Extra-mature (over 12 months)), Pecorino Siciliano Cheese (At least 4 months, up to over 12 months)
- Taste: Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese (Initially mild with scents of milk and flowers, slightly spicy aftertaste), Pecorino Siciliano Cheese (Varies from fresh and floral to fruity and spicy with age)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese | Pecorino Siciliano Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Province Of Pisa, Including The Municipalities Of Volterra, Pomarance, Montecatini Val Di Cecina, Castelnuovo Val Di Cecina, And Monteverdi. | Sicily |
| Milk Type | Sheep's milk | Sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Raw |
| Texture | Compact structure with negligible friability, possibly with some holes | Hard and compact |
| Rind | Ranges from pale straw yellow to deep yellow; can be coated in olive oil and ash | White to light yellow |
| Aging | Fresh (7-44 days), Semi-mature (45 days to 6 months), Mature (6 to 12 months), Extra-mature (over 12 months) | At least 4 months, up to over 12 months |
| Taste | Initially mild with scents of milk and flowers, slightly spicy aftertaste | Varies from fresh and floral to fruity and spicy with age |
Taste Comparison: Does Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese Taste Like Pecorino Siciliano Cheese?
Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese reads as initially mild with scents of milk and flowers, slightly spicy aftertaste, while Pecorino Siciliano Cheese brings varies from fresh and floral to fruity and spicy with age character. More specifically, Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese shows scents of milk, flowers, and a note of cardoon; fresh green echoes; tastiness and a slightly astringent quality in mature and extra-mature cheeses, while Pecorino Siciliano Cheese leans toward fresh, floral, fruity, spicy. Aging plays into this as well. Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese at fresh (7-44 days), semi-mature (45 days to 6 months), mature (6 to 12 months), extra-mature (over 12 months) develops a different profile than Pecorino Siciliano Cheese at at least 4 months, up to over 12 months.
Can You Substitute Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese for Pecorino Siciliano Cheese?
In most recipes, Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese and Pecorino Siciliano Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are sheep-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect compact structure with negligible friability, possibly with some holes bite and body where the recipe calls for hard and compact. Flavor-wise, Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese reads as initially mild with scents of milk and flowers, slightly spicy aftertaste while Pecorino Siciliano Cheese brings varies from fresh and floral to fruity and spicy with age notes.
Which Is Better, Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese or Pecorino Siciliano Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a compact structure with negligible friability, possibly with some holes cheese, go with Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese. For a hard and compact profile, Pecorino Siciliano Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese suits recipes that want initially mild with scents of milk and flowers, slightly spicy aftertaste notes, while Pecorino Siciliano Cheese fits dishes calling for varies from fresh and floral to fruity and spicy with age.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese the same as Pecorino Siciliano Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese is typically aged fresh (7-44 days), semi-mature (45 days to 6 months), mature (6 to 12 months), extra-mature (over 12 months), Pecorino Siciliano Cheese at least 4 months, up to over 12 months.
Is Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese similar to Pecorino Siciliano Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a sheep-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese for Pecorino Siciliano Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese taste like Pecorino Siciliano Cheese?
Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese reads as initially mild with scents of milk and flowers, slightly spicy aftertaste, while Pecorino Siciliano Cheese is varies from fresh and floral to fruity and spicy with age.
What is Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese made of?
Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese is made from sheep milk (raw), using vegetable rennet from wild cardoon or artichoke inflorescences rennet. It's typically aged fresh (7-44 days), semi-mature (45 days to 6 months), mature (6 to 12 months), extra-mature (over 12 months).
What is Pecorino Siciliano Cheese made of?
Pecorino Siciliano Cheese is made from sheep milk (raw), using lamb's rennet. It's typically aged at least 4 months, up to over 12 months. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese or Pecorino Siciliano Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese is compact structure with negligible friability, possibly with some holes, while Pecorino Siciliano Cheese is hard and compact.