Pecorino Siciliano Cheese vs Provolone Cheese

Pecorino Siciliano Cheese is a hard and compact sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

What Is Pecorino Siciliano Cheese?

Pecorino siciliano is a firm sheep milk cheese from Sicily. It goes back to the classical Greek world, when it was counted among the best cheeses anywhere, and it holds European PDO status today.

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 Siciliano Cheese and Provolone Cheese?

• Milk type: Pecorino Siciliano Cheese (Sheep's milk), Provolone Cheese (cow's milk)
• Texture: Pecorino Siciliano Cheese (Hard and compact), Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan)
• Aging: Pecorino Siciliano Cheese (At least 4 months, up to over 12 months), Provolone Cheese (at least 4 months for piccante)
• Taste: Pecorino Siciliano Cheese (Varies from fresh and floral to fruity and spicy with age), Provolone Cheese (tangy)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Pecorino Siciliano Cheese reads as varies from fresh and floral to fruity and spicy with age, while Provolone Cheese brings tangy character. Aging plays into this as well. Pecorino Siciliano Cheese at at least 4 months, up to over 12 months develops a different profile than Provolone Cheese at at least 4 months for piccante.

Can You Substitute Pecorino Siciliano Cheese for Provolone Cheese?

Pecorino Siciliano Cheese can stand in for Provolone Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect hard and compact bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard, artisan. Flavor-wise, Pecorino Siciliano Cheese reads as varies from fresh and floral to fruity and spicy with age while Provolone Cheese brings tangy notes.

Which Is Better, Pecorino Siciliano Cheese or Provolone Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard and compact cheese, go with Pecorino Siciliano Cheese. For a semi-hard, artisan profile, Provolone Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Pecorino Siciliano Cheese suits recipes that want varies from fresh and floral to fruity and spicy with age notes, while Provolone Cheese fits dishes calling for tangy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pecorino Siciliano Cheese the same as Provolone Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Pecorino Siciliano Cheese is made from sheep milk; Provolone Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Pecorino Siciliano Cheese is typically aged at least 4 months, up to over 12 months, Provolone Cheese at least 4 months for piccante.

Is Pecorino Siciliano Cheese similar to Provolone Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Pecorino Siciliano Cheese for Provolone Cheese?

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

Does Pecorino Siciliano Cheese taste like Provolone Cheese?

Pecorino Siciliano Cheese reads as varies from fresh and floral to fruity and spicy with age, while Provolone Cheese is tangy.

What is Pecorino Siciliano Cheese made of?

Pecorino Siciliano Cheese is made from sheep milk (raw), using lamb's rennet. It's typically aged at least 4 months, up to over 12 months. 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 Siciliano Cheese or Provolone Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Pecorino Siciliano Cheese is hard and compact, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan.