Pecorino Sardo Cheese vs Provolone Cheese

Pecorino Sardo Cheese is a firm but springy and elastic for dolce, hard and grainy for maturo sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

What Is Pecorino Sardo Cheese?

Pecorino sardo is a firm sheep milk cheese from Sardinia, made with milk from the island's local Sarda sheep and curdled with calf's rennet. It comes in two versions: dolce, aged 20 to 60 days, and maturo, aged more than two months and sharper in taste.

What Is Provolone Cheese?

Provolone is an Italian semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk with a stretched curd. It runs from the very sharp piccante, aged at least four months, to the mild dolce.

What's the Difference Between Pecorino Sardo Cheese and Provolone Cheese?

• Milk type: Pecorino Sardo Cheese (Sheep's Milk), Provolone Cheese (cow's milk)
• Texture: Pecorino Sardo Cheese (Firm but springy and elastic for Dolce, Hard and grainy for Maturo), Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan)
• Aging: Pecorino Sardo Cheese (20 to 60 days for Dolce, At least 60 days for Maturo), Provolone Cheese (at least 4 months for piccante)
• Taste: Pecorino Sardo Cheese (Mild and sweet for Dolce, More piquant and pronounced in salt for Maturo), Provolone Cheese (tangy)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Pecorino Sardo Cheese Taste Like Provolone Cheese?

Pecorino Sardo Cheese reads as mild and sweet for dolce, more piquant and pronounced in salt for maturo, while Provolone Cheese brings tangy character. On the nose, Pecorino Sardo Cheese offers sheep's milk and hay for dolce, contrasted with Provolone Cheese's pleasant. Aging plays into this as well. Pecorino Sardo Cheese at 20 to 60 days for dolce, at least 60 days for maturo develops a different profile than Provolone Cheese at at least 4 months for piccante.

Can You Substitute Pecorino Sardo Cheese for Provolone Cheese?

Pecorino Sardo Cheese can stand in for Provolone Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect firm but springy and elastic for dolce, hard and grainy for maturo bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard, artisan. Flavor-wise, Pecorino Sardo Cheese reads as mild and sweet for dolce, more piquant and pronounced in salt for maturo while Provolone Cheese brings tangy notes.

Which Is Better, Pecorino Sardo Cheese or Provolone Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a firm but springy and elastic for dolce, hard and grainy for maturo cheese, go with Pecorino Sardo Cheese. For a semi-hard, artisan profile, Provolone Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Pecorino Sardo Cheese suits recipes that want mild and sweet for dolce, more piquant and pronounced in salt for maturo notes, while Provolone Cheese fits dishes calling for tangy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pecorino Sardo Cheese the same as Provolone Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Pecorino Sardo Cheese is made from sheep milk; Provolone Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Pecorino Sardo Cheese is typically aged 20 to 60 days for dolce, at least 60 days for maturo, Provolone Cheese at least 4 months for piccante.

Is Pecorino Sardo Cheese similar to Provolone Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Pecorino Sardo Cheese for Provolone Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Pecorino Sardo Cheese taste like Provolone Cheese?

Pecorino Sardo Cheese reads as mild and sweet for dolce, more piquant and pronounced in salt for maturo, while Provolone Cheese is tangy. Aromas also diverge. Pecorino Sardo Cheese leans sheep's milk and hay for dolce, and Provolone Cheese is closer to pleasant.

What is Pecorino Sardo Cheese made of?

Pecorino Sardo Cheese is made from sheep milk (pasteurized or thermized), using calf rennet. It's typically aged 20 to 60 days for dolce, at least 60 days for maturo. It originates in Italy.

What is Provolone Cheese made of?

Provolone Cheese is made from cow milk. It's typically aged at least 4 months for piccante. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Pecorino Sardo Cheese or Provolone Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Pecorino Sardo Cheese is firm but springy and elastic for dolce, hard and grainy for maturo, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan.