Pecorino Sardo Cheese vs Sulguni Cheese

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

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 Sulguni Cheese?

Sulguni is a brined cheese from the Samegrelo region of Georgia, made from cow or buffalo milk. Sour and moderately salty, with a dimpled, elastic body, it is nicknamed pickled cheese and usually served in wedges or deep-fried.

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

• Origin: Pecorino Sardo Cheese (Italy), Sulguni Cheese (Georgia)
• Milk type: Pecorino Sardo Cheese (Sheep's Milk), Sulguni Cheese (buffalo's and cow's milk)
• Texture: Pecorino Sardo Cheese (Firm but springy and elastic for Dolce, Hard and grainy for Maturo), Sulguni Cheese (semi-firm)
• Aging: Pecorino Sardo Cheese (20 to 60 days for Dolce, At least 60 days for Maturo), Sulguni Cheese (1 to 2 days)
• Taste: Pecorino Sardo Cheese (Mild and sweet for Dolce, More piquant and pronounced in salt for Maturo), Sulguni Cheese (salty, smokey , sour)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Pecorino Sardo Cheese reads as mild and sweet for dolce, more piquant and pronounced in salt for maturo, while Sulguni Cheese brings salty, smokey , sour character. More specifically, Pecorino Sardo Cheese shows sharpness increases with longer maturation, while Sulguni Cheese leans toward sour, moderately salty. 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 Sulguni Cheese at 1 to 2 days.

Can You Substitute Pecorino Sardo Cheese for Sulguni Cheese?

Pecorino Sardo Cheese can stand in for Sulguni 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-firm. Flavor-wise, Pecorino Sardo Cheese reads as mild and sweet for dolce, more piquant and pronounced in salt for maturo while Sulguni Cheese brings salty, smokey , sour notes.

Which Is Better, Pecorino Sardo Cheese or Sulguni 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-firm profile, Sulguni 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 Sulguni Cheese fits dishes calling for salty, smokey , sour.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pecorino Sardo Cheese the same as Sulguni Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Pecorino Sardo Cheese originates in Italy, while Sulguni Cheese comes from Georgia. Pecorino Sardo Cheese is made from sheep milk; Sulguni Cheese uses cow and buffalo. Aging also differs: Pecorino Sardo Cheese is typically aged 20 to 60 days for dolce, at least 60 days for maturo, Sulguni Cheese 1 to 2 days.

Is Pecorino Sardo Cheese similar to Sulguni Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Pecorino Sardo Cheese for Sulguni Cheese?

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

Does Pecorino Sardo Cheese taste like Sulguni Cheese?

Pecorino Sardo Cheese reads as mild and sweet for dolce, more piquant and pronounced in salt for maturo, while Sulguni Cheese is salty, smokey , sour.

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 Sulguni Cheese made of?

Sulguni Cheese is made from cow and buffalo milk. It's typically aged 1 to 2 days. It originates in Georgia.

Which should I choose, Pecorino Sardo Cheese or Sulguni 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 Sulguni Cheese is semi-firm.