Pecorino Romano Cheese vs Soft Cheese
Pecorino Romano Cheese is a hard sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Soft Cheese is spreadable, smooth to runny and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk.
Buy Pecorino Romano Cheese
Buy Soft Cheese
What Is Pecorino Romano Cheese?
Pecorino Romano is a hard, salty Italian cheese made only from sheep milk, most often grated over pasta. It began in the countryside around Rome and is now made almost entirely in Sardinia.
What Is Soft Cheese?
Soft cheese is the moisture category at the wet end of the scale, holding 55 to 80 percent moisture against its dry weight. It covers soft-ripened cheeses like Brie and Camembert, some blue and pasta filata cheeses, and fresh cheeses, and it is known for being spreadable.
What's the Difference Between Pecorino Romano Cheese and Soft Cheese?
- Milk type: Pecorino Romano Cheese (sheep's milk), Soft Cheese (cow, goat, sheep)
- Texture: Pecorino Romano Cheese (Hard), Soft Cheese (spreadable, smooth to runny)
- Rind: Pecorino Romano Cheese (Pale yellow to brown or black), Soft Cheese (bloomy white mold rind, or washed)
- Aging: Pecorino Romano Cheese (5–8 months or longer), Soft Cheese (unmatured to about 1 month)
- Taste: Pecorino Romano Cheese (Sharp, salty), Soft Cheese (mild)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Pecorino Romano Cheese | Soft Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | — |
| Specific Origin | Lazio, Sardinia, Grosseto | — |
| Milk Type | Sheep's milk | Cow, goat, sheep |
| Texture | Hard | Spreadable, smooth to runny |
| Rind | Pale yellow to brown or black | Bloomy white mold rind, or washed |
| Aging | 5–8 months or longer | Unmatured to about 1 month |
| Taste | Sharp, salty | Mild |
Taste Comparison: Does Pecorino Romano Cheese Taste Like Soft Cheese?
Pecorino Romano Cheese reads as sharp, salty, while Soft Cheese brings mild character. Aging plays into this as well. Pecorino Romano Cheese at 5–8 months or longer develops a different profile than Soft Cheese at unmatured to about 1 month.
Can You Substitute Pecorino Romano Cheese for Soft Cheese?
Pecorino Romano Cheese can stand in for Soft 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 spreadable, smooth to runny. Flavor-wise, Pecorino Romano Cheese reads as sharp, salty while Soft Cheese brings mild notes.
Which Is Better, Pecorino Romano Cheese or Soft 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 Romano Cheese. For a spreadable, smooth to runny profile, Soft Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Pecorino Romano Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, salty notes, while Soft Cheese fits dishes calling for mild.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pecorino Romano Cheese the same as Soft Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Pecorino Romano Cheese is made from sheep milk; Soft Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep. Aging also differs: Pecorino Romano Cheese is typically aged 5–8 months or longer, Soft Cheese unmatured to about 1 month.
Is Pecorino Romano Cheese similar to Soft Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Pecorino Romano Cheese for Soft Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Pecorino Romano Cheese taste like Soft Cheese?
Pecorino Romano Cheese reads as sharp, salty, while Soft Cheese is mild.
What is Pecorino Romano Cheese made of?
Pecorino Romano Cheese is made from sheep milk, using animal (sheep) rennet. It's typically aged 5–8 months or longer. It originates in Italy.
What is Soft Cheese made of?
Soft Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk. It's typically aged unmatured to about 1 month.
Which should I choose, Pecorino Romano Cheese or Soft Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Pecorino Romano Cheese is hard, while Soft Cheese is spreadable, smooth to runny.