Pecorino Sardo Cheese vs Provolone Cheese
Pecorino Sardo Cheese
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, also known as Fiore Sardo, is a firm sheep’s milk cheese from Sardinia, Italy. It comes in two varieties: Dolce (sweet), which is younger and softer, and Maturo (mature), which is harder and has a more intense flavor. Both types have a rich, nutty flavor with a hint of saltiness, ideal for grating over dishes or enjoying with fruit and wine.
What Is Provolone Cheese?
Provolone is a well-known Italian cheese with a smooth, firm texture and a mild, slightly tangy flavor that becomes sharper and more robust with age. Made from cow's milk, this stretched-curd cheese can be aged from a few months to a year or more. Provolone is excellent for slicing, grating, or melting.
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)
- Taste: Pecorino Sardo Cheese (Mild and sweet for Dolce, More piquant and pronounced in salt for Maturo), Provolone Cheese (tangy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Pecorino Sardo Cheese | Provolone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Sardinia | — |
| Milk Type | Sheep's Milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or Thermized | — |
| Texture | Firm but springy and elastic for Dolce, Hard and grainy for Maturo | Semi-hard, artisan |
| Rind | Pale yellow to mahogany | — |
| Aging | 20 to 60 days for Dolce, At least 60 days for Maturo | — |
| Taste | Mild and sweet for Dolce, More piquant and pronounced in salt for Maturo | Tangy |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Pecorino Sardo Cheese | Provolone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | — | Pastrami, Salami |
| Other Good Pairings | — | Chorizo, Grilled Cheese, Ham, Pinot Grigio, Pulled Pork, Roast Beef, Steak, Tomatoes, Tuna, Turkey |
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Where to buy Pecorino Sardo Cheese and Provolone Cheese
Pecorino Sardo Cheese
Provolone Cheese
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.
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.
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 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.
See full profiles: Pecorino Sardo Cheese and Provolone Cheese.