Pecorino Romano Cheese vs Tête de Moine Cheese

Pecorino Romano Cheese

Tête de Moine Cheese

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

  • "What is the difference between Pecorino Romano Cheese and Tête de Moine Cheese?"
  • "Is Pecorino Romano Cheese and Tête de Moine Cheese the same?"
  • "How does Pecorino Romano Cheese compare to Tête de Moine Cheese cheese?"
  • "How does the taste of Pecorino Romano Cheese compare to Tête de Moine Cheese?"
  • "Is Pecorino Romano Cheese or Tête de Moine 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.

Tête de Moine Cheese Overview

Tête de Moine, meaning "monk’s head," is a Swiss cheese made from cow's milk. It is traditionally shaved into rosette-shaped slices using a girolle. The cheese has a firm texture and a rich, creamy flavor with a slightly tangy and nutty undertone, ideal for elegant cheese platters.

Comparing the Two Cheeses

Country of Origin

Pecorino Romano Cheese comes from Italy. Tête de Moine Cheese originated from Switzerland.

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). Tête de Moine Cheese has a GI (2011).

Milk Type and Treatment

Pecorino Romano Cheese is made with sheep milk. Tête de Moine Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically unpasteurized.

Composition and Texture

Pecorino Romano Cheese has a fat content of ~36%. Pecorino Romano's texture can be described as "hard". Tête de Moine's texture can be described as "semi-hard".

Taste and Aroma

Pecorino Romano Cheese has a sharp, salty taste. Pecorino Romano's aroma can be described as "strong". Tête de Moine Cheese has a nutty taste. Tête de Moine's aroma can be described as "rich".

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 .

Rind and Rennet Type

Pecorino Romano Cheese's rind is described as pale yellow to brown or black and uses rennet rennet.

Ranking

Pecorino Romano is ranked #64 out of 996 types based on community views. Tête de Moine is ranked #45 out of 996 types based on community views.

Pairing Comparison

Pecorino Romano Tête de Moine
Best Pairings Olives No pairings listed.
Other Good Pairings Amaro, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Pistachios No additional pairings listed.

For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Pecorino Romano and Tête de Moine pages.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Pecorino Romano Cheese Tête de Moine Cheese
Country of Origin Italy Switzerland
Specific Origin Lazio, Sardinia, Grosseto Not Specified
Certification PDO (1996), DOP (1996) GI (2011)
Milk Type Sheep's milk Cow's milk
Milk Treatment Not Specified Unpasteurized
Fat Content ~36% Not Specified
Rind Pale yellow to brown or black Not Specified
Texture Hard Semi-hard
Taste Sharp, salty Nutty
Aroma Strong Rich
Colors White interior, pale yellow to brown/black rind Not Specified
Forms Wheels, 49–71 lbs, 12–13" high, 11–12" wide Not Specified
Age 5–8 months or longer Not Specified
Rennet Type Rennet Not Specified

Which One Should You Choose?

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

Compare Pecorino Romano Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare Tête de Moine Cheese to Other Cheeses

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