Pecorino Romano Cheese vs Swiss Cheese

In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Pecorino Romano Cheese and Swiss Cheese, including:

• "What is the difference between Pecorino Romano Cheese and Swiss Cheese?"
• "Is Pecorino Romano Cheese and Swiss Cheese the same?"
• "How does Pecorino Romano Cheese compare to Swiss Cheese cheese?"
• "How does the taste of Pecorino Romano Cheese compare to Swiss Cheese?"
• "Is Pecorino Romano Cheese or Swiss Cheese better?"

Pecorino Romano Cheese Overview

Pecorino Romano is one of the most ancient types of cheese and a staple in Italian cuisine. Made from sheep's milk, it is salty and sharp, traditionally used grated over pasta dishes, incorporated into sauces, or eaten on its own with a drizzle of honey. Pecorino Romano is predominantly produced in the regions of Lazio, Sardinia, and Tuscany.

Swiss Cheese Overview

Swiss cheese in the United States refers to a group of cheeses that resemble the Emmental cheese from Switzerland, known for their medium-hard texture and distinctive holes or "eyes." American Swiss cheese is mild, nutty, and sweet, with a smooth, creamy texture, making it popular for sandwiches and burgers.

Comparing the Two Cheeses

Country of Origin

Pecorino Romano Cheese comes from Italy. Swiss Cheese originated from United States.

Certification

Many cheeses have some kind of protected status that makes it so they can only be produced in a certain manner and location. Pecorino Romano Cheese has a PDO (1996), DOP (1996). Swiss is not a protected cheese.

Milk Type and Treatment

Pecorino Romano Cheese is made with sheep milk. Swiss Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically pasteurized.

Composition and Texture

Pecorino Romano Cheese has a fat content of ~36%. Pecorino Romano's texture can be described as "hard". Swiss Cheese has a fat content of ~28-32% and a moisture content of none. Swiss's texture can be described as "semi-firm".

Taste and Aroma

Pecorino Romano Cheese has a sharp, salty taste. Pecorino Romano's aroma can be described as "strong". Swiss Cheese has a mild, nutty, slightly sweet taste. Swiss's aroma can be described as "mild, slightly nutty".

Appearance and Aging

Pecorino Romano Cheese's appearance is colored white interior, pale yellow to brown/black rind , is available in wheels, 49–71 lbs, 12–13" high, 11–12" wide and is aged 5–8 months or longer . Swiss Cheese has a color of pale yellow , comes in block, sliced, shredded and has an aging period of typically 1-3 months .

Rind and Rennet Type

Pecorino Romano Cheese's rind is described as pale yellow to brown or black and uses rennet rennet. Swiss Cheese's rind is described as none , with microbial or vegetarian rennet.

Ranking

Pecorino Romano is ranked #64 out of 996 types based on community views. Swiss is ranked #78 out of 996 types based on community views.

Pairing Comparison

For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Pecorino Romano and Swiss pages.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Which One Should You Choose?

If you prefer a hard cheese, go for Pecorino Romano. But if you enjoy a semi-firm consistency, Swiss might be the better pick. Pecorino Romano has a sharp, salty taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Swiss offers a mild, nutty, slightly sweet profile, ideal for different meals.

Compare Pecorino Romano Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare Swiss Cheese to Other Cheeses