Pecorino Toscano Cheese vs Roumy Cheese
Pecorino Toscano Cheese is a soft or semihard sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Roumy Cheese is hard and made from cow and buffalo milk, originating in Egypt.
What Is Pecorino Toscano Cheese?
Pecorino toscano is a firm sheep's milk cheese from Tuscany that has held PDO status since 1996. It is the third most produced sheep's milk cheese in Italy, behind pecorino romano and pecorino sardo.
What Is Roumy Cheese?
Rumi, also spelled Roumy, is the main hard cheese of Egypt, made from cow's or buffalo milk with no starter culture. Three to four months of aging give it an open texture, a pungent smell and a sharp flavor that gets saltier with age.
What's the Difference Between Pecorino Toscano Cheese and Roumy Cheese?
- Origin: Pecorino Toscano Cheese (Italy), Roumy Cheese (Egypt)
- Milk type: Pecorino Toscano Cheese (Sheep's milk), Roumy Cheese (cow's and water buffalo's milk)
- Texture: Pecorino Toscano Cheese (Soft or Semihard), Roumy Cheese (hard)
- Rind: Pecorino Toscano Cheese (Straw-colored), Roumy Cheese (natural)
- Aging: Pecorino Toscano Cheese (At least 20 days (soft), Four months (semihard)), Roumy Cheese (3 to 4 months)
- Taste: Pecorino Toscano Cheese (Fragrant), Roumy Cheese (salty, sharp, strong)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Pecorino Toscano Cheese | Roumy Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Egypt |
| Specific Origin | Tuscany, Some Municipalities Of Umbria And Lazio | Egypt |
| Milk Type | Sheep's milk | Cow's and water buffalo's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw or pasteurized | — |
| Texture | Soft or Semihard | Hard |
| Rind | Straw-colored | Natural |
| Aging | At least 20 days (soft), Four months (semihard) | 3 to 4 months |
| Taste | Fragrant | Salty, sharp, strong |
Taste Comparison: Does Pecorino Toscano Cheese Taste Like Roumy Cheese?
Pecorino Toscano Cheese reads as fragrant, while Roumy Cheese brings salty, sharp, strong character. Aging plays into this as well. Pecorino Toscano Cheese at at least 20 days (soft), four months (semihard) develops a different profile than Roumy Cheese at 3 to 4 months.
Can You Substitute Pecorino Toscano Cheese for Roumy Cheese?
Pecorino Toscano Cheese can stand in for Roumy Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft or semihard bite and body where the recipe calls for hard. Flavor-wise, Pecorino Toscano Cheese reads as fragrant while Roumy Cheese brings salty, sharp, strong notes.
Which Is Better, Pecorino Toscano Cheese or Roumy Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft or semihard cheese, go with Pecorino Toscano Cheese. For a hard profile, Roumy Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Pecorino Toscano Cheese suits recipes that want fragrant notes, while Roumy Cheese fits dishes calling for salty, sharp, strong.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pecorino Toscano Cheese the same as Roumy Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Pecorino Toscano Cheese originates in Italy, while Roumy Cheese comes from Egypt. Pecorino Toscano Cheese is made from sheep milk; Roumy Cheese uses cow and buffalo. Aging also differs: Pecorino Toscano Cheese is typically aged at least 20 days (soft), four months (semihard), Roumy Cheese 3 to 4 months.
Is Pecorino Toscano Cheese similar to Roumy Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Pecorino Toscano Cheese for Roumy Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Pecorino Toscano Cheese taste like Roumy Cheese?
Pecorino Toscano Cheese reads as fragrant, while Roumy Cheese is salty, sharp, strong.
What is Pecorino Toscano Cheese made of?
Pecorino Toscano Cheese is made from sheep milk (raw or pasteurized), using calf rennet. It's typically aged at least 20 days (soft), four months (semihard). It originates in Italy.
What is Roumy Cheese made of?
Roumy Cheese is made from cow and buffalo milk. It's typically aged 3 to 4 months. It originates in Egypt.
Which should I choose, Pecorino Toscano Cheese or Roumy Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Pecorino Toscano Cheese is soft or semihard, while Roumy Cheese is hard.