Pecorino Romano Cheese vs Toma Cheese

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

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

Toma Cheese Overview

Toma is a generic term used across the Piedmont and Aosta Valley regions of Italy to describe a family of farmhouse cheeses made from cow's milk. These cheeses can vary but typically have a soft to semi-hard texture and a mild, buttery flavor, making them versatile for both table cheese and melting in dishes.

Comparing the Two Cheeses

Country of Origin

Pecorino Romano Cheese comes from Italy. Toma Cheese originated from Italy.

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). Toma is not a protected cheese.

Milk Type and Treatment

Pecorino Romano Cheese is made with sheep milk. Toma 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". Toma'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".

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. Toma is ranked #116 out of 996 types based on community views.

Pairing Comparison

For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Pecorino Romano and Toma 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-hard consistency, Toma might be the better pick.

Compare Pecorino Romano Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare Toma Cheese to Other Cheeses