Pecorino Siciliano Cheese vs Soft Cheese

Pecorino Siciliano Cheese is a hard and compact sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Soft Cheese is spreadable, smooth to runny and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk.

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 Soft Cheese?

Soft cheese is the moisture category at the wet end of the scale, holding 55 to 80 percent moisture against its dry weight. It covers soft-ripened cheeses like Brie and Camembert, some blue and pasta filata cheeses, and fresh cheeses, and it is known for being spreadable.

What's the Difference Between Pecorino Siciliano Cheese and Soft Cheese?

• Milk type: Pecorino Siciliano Cheese (Sheep's milk), Soft Cheese (cow, goat, sheep)
• Texture: Pecorino Siciliano Cheese (Hard and compact), Soft Cheese (spreadable, smooth to runny)
• Rind: Pecorino Siciliano Cheese (White to light yellow), Soft Cheese (bloomy white mold rind, or washed)
• Aging: Pecorino Siciliano Cheese (At least 4 months, up to over 12 months), Soft Cheese (unmatured to about 1 month)
• Taste: Pecorino Siciliano Cheese (Varies from fresh and floral to fruity and spicy with age), Soft Cheese (mild)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Pecorino Siciliano Cheese reads as varies from fresh and floral to fruity and spicy with age, while Soft Cheese brings mild 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 Soft Cheese at unmatured to about 1 month.

Can You Substitute Pecorino Siciliano Cheese for Soft Cheese?

Pecorino Siciliano Cheese can stand in for Soft 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 spreadable, smooth to runny. Flavor-wise, Pecorino Siciliano Cheese reads as varies from fresh and floral to fruity and spicy with age while Soft Cheese brings mild notes.

Which Is Better, Pecorino Siciliano Cheese or Soft 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 spreadable, smooth to runny profile, Soft 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 Soft Cheese fits dishes calling for mild.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pecorino Siciliano Cheese the same as Soft Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Pecorino Siciliano Cheese is made from sheep milk; Soft Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep. Aging also differs: Pecorino Siciliano Cheese is typically aged at least 4 months, up to over 12 months, Soft Cheese unmatured to about 1 month.

Is Pecorino Siciliano Cheese similar to Soft Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Pecorino Siciliano Cheese for Soft Cheese?

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

Does Pecorino Siciliano Cheese taste like Soft Cheese?

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

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 Soft Cheese made of?

Soft Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk. It's typically aged unmatured to about 1 month.

Which should I choose, Pecorino Siciliano Cheese or Soft Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Pecorino Siciliano Cheese is hard and compact, while Soft Cheese is spreadable, smooth to runny.