Pecorino di Filiano Cheese vs Roquefort Cheese

Pecorino di Filiano Cheese is a hard sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Roquefort Cheese is moist, very creamy and made from sheep milk, originating in France.

What Is Pecorino di Filiano Cheese?

Pecorino di Filiano is a firm sheep milk cheese made in the province of Potenza, in Basilicata, southern Italy. It has held protected designation of origin status since 2007, and the village of Filiano celebrates it with a festival each September.

What Is Roquefort Cheese?

Roquefort is a blue cheese made from raw Lacaune sheep's milk in southern France. Only cheese ripened in the natural Combalou caves of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon may carry the name. It is tangy and creamy, with no rind and a sharp bite from the blue veins.

What's the Difference Between Pecorino di Filiano Cheese and Roquefort Cheese?

• Origin: Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Italy), Roquefort Cheese (France)
• Milk treatment: Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Raw), Roquefort Cheese (unpasteurized)
• Texture: Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Hard), Roquefort Cheese (Moist, very creamy)
• Rind: Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Golden yellow to dark brown), Roquefort Cheese (none)
• Aging: Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Two to five months, over six months), Roquefort Cheese (Minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months)
• Taste: Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Sweet and delicate to strong and savoury), Roquefort Cheese (Mild to strong)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Pecorino di Filiano Cheese Taste Like Roquefort Cheese?

Pecorino di Filiano Cheese reads as sweet and delicate to strong and savoury, while Roquefort Cheese brings mild to strong character. More specifically, Pecorino di Filiano Cheese shows sweet in semi-aged, savoury in aged, while Roquefort Cheese leans toward buttercream smooth to salty and sharp. Aging plays into this as well. Pecorino di Filiano Cheese at two to five months, over six months develops a different profile than Roquefort Cheese at minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months.

Can You Substitute Pecorino di Filiano Cheese for Roquefort Cheese?

In most recipes, Pecorino di Filiano Cheese and Roquefort Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are sheep-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect hard bite and body where the recipe calls for moist, very creamy. Flavor-wise, Pecorino di Filiano Cheese reads as sweet and delicate to strong and savoury while Roquefort Cheese brings mild to strong notes.

Which Is Better, Pecorino di Filiano Cheese or Roquefort Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard cheese, go with Pecorino di Filiano Cheese. For a moist, very creamy profile, Roquefort Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Pecorino di Filiano Cheese suits recipes that want sweet and delicate to strong and savoury notes, while Roquefort Cheese fits dishes calling for mild to strong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pecorino di Filiano Cheese the same as Roquefort Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Pecorino di Filiano Cheese originates in Italy, while Roquefort Cheese comes from France. Aging also differs: Pecorino di Filiano Cheese is typically aged two to five months, over six months, Roquefort Cheese minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months.

Is Pecorino di Filiano Cheese similar to Roquefort Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a sheep-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Pecorino di Filiano Cheese for Roquefort Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Pecorino di Filiano Cheese taste like Roquefort Cheese?

Pecorino di Filiano Cheese reads as sweet and delicate to strong and savoury, while Roquefort Cheese is mild to strong.

What is Pecorino di Filiano Cheese made of?

Pecorino di Filiano Cheese is made from sheep milk (raw), using goat or lamb rennet. It's typically aged two to five months, over six months. It originates in Italy.

What is Roquefort Cheese made of?

Roquefort Cheese is made from sheep milk (unpasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Pecorino di Filiano Cheese or Roquefort Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Pecorino di Filiano Cheese is hard, while Roquefort Cheese is moist, very creamy.