Pecorino di Filiano Cheese vs Saint-Nectaire Cheese
Pecorino di Filiano Cheese
Saint-Nectaire Cheese
Pecorino di Filiano Cheese is a hard sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese is soft and tender and made from cow 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 Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
Saint-Nectaire is a pressed cow's milk cheese from the volcanic hills around the Monts-Dore in Auvergne, France. It ages on rye straw for at least 28 days and is known for its soft, creamy paste and hint of hazelnut.
What's the Difference Between Pecorino di Filiano Cheese and Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
- Origin: Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Italy), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (France)
- Milk type: Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Sheep's milk), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Cow’s milk (Holstein, Montbéliarde, sometimes Salers))
- Milk treatment: Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Raw), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Raw for fermier, pasteurized for laitier)
- Texture: Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Hard), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Soft and tender)
- Rind: Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Golden yellow to dark brown), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Washed-rind)
- Aging: Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Two to five months, over six months), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (At least twenty-eight days)
- Taste: Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Sweet and delicate to strong and savoury), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Delicate hazelnut)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Pecorino di Filiano Cheese | Saint-Nectaire Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | France |
| Specific Origin | Northwest Of The Basilicata Region | Massif Du Sancy, Auvergne |
| Milk Type | Sheep's milk | Cow’s milk (Holstein, Montbéliarde, sometimes Salers) |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Raw for fermier, pasteurized for laitier |
| Texture | Hard | Soft and tender |
| Rind | Golden yellow to dark brown | Washed-rind |
| Aging | Two to five months, over six months | At least twenty-eight days |
| Taste | Sweet and delicate to strong and savoury | Delicate hazelnut |
Taste Comparison: Does Pecorino di Filiano Cheese Taste Like Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
Pecorino di Filiano Cheese reads as sweet and delicate to strong and savoury, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese brings delicate hazelnut character. More specifically, Pecorino di Filiano Cheese shows sweet in semi-aged, savoury in aged, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese leans toward nutty. Aging plays into this as well. Pecorino di Filiano Cheese at two to five months, over six months develops a different profile than Saint-Nectaire Cheese at at least twenty-eight days.
Can You Substitute Pecorino di Filiano Cheese for Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
Pecorino di Filiano Cheese can stand in for Saint-Nectaire Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect hard bite and body where the recipe calls for soft and tender. Flavor-wise, Pecorino di Filiano Cheese reads as sweet and delicate to strong and savoury while Saint-Nectaire Cheese brings delicate hazelnut notes.
Which Is Better, Pecorino di Filiano Cheese or Saint-Nectaire 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 soft and tender profile, Saint-Nectaire Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Pecorino di Filiano Cheese suits recipes that want sweet and delicate to strong and savoury notes, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese fits dishes calling for delicate hazelnut.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pecorino di Filiano Cheese the same as Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Pecorino di Filiano Cheese originates in Italy, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese comes from France. Pecorino di Filiano Cheese is made from sheep milk; Saint-Nectaire Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Pecorino di Filiano Cheese is typically aged two to five months, over six months, Saint-Nectaire Cheese at least twenty-eight days.
Is Pecorino di Filiano Cheese similar to Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Pecorino di Filiano Cheese for Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Pecorino di Filiano Cheese taste like Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
Pecorino di Filiano Cheese reads as sweet and delicate to strong and savoury, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese is delicate hazelnut.
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 Saint-Nectaire Cheese made of?
Saint-Nectaire Cheese is made from cow milk (raw for fermier, pasteurized for laitier). It's typically aged at least twenty-eight days. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Pecorino di Filiano Cheese or Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Pecorino di Filiano Cheese is hard, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese is soft and tender.