Pecorino Toscano Cheese vs Soft Cheese

Pecorino Toscano Cheese is a soft or semihard sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Soft Cheese is spreadable, smooth to runny and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk.

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 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 Toscano Cheese and Soft Cheese?

• Milk type: Pecorino Toscano Cheese (Sheep's milk), Soft Cheese (cow, goat, sheep)
• Texture: Pecorino Toscano Cheese (Soft or Semihard), Soft Cheese (spreadable, smooth to runny)
• Rind: Pecorino Toscano Cheese (Straw-colored), Soft Cheese (bloomy white mold rind, or washed)
• Aging: Pecorino Toscano Cheese (At least 20 days (soft), Four months (semihard)), Soft Cheese (unmatured to about 1 month)
• Taste: Pecorino Toscano Cheese (Fragrant), Soft Cheese (mild)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Pecorino Toscano Cheese reads as fragrant, while Soft Cheese brings mild character. Aging plays into this as well. Pecorino Toscano Cheese at at least 20 days (soft), four months (semihard) develops a different profile than Soft Cheese at unmatured to about 1 month.

Can You Substitute Pecorino Toscano Cheese for Soft Cheese?

Pecorino Toscano Cheese can stand in for Soft 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 spreadable, smooth to runny. Flavor-wise, Pecorino Toscano Cheese reads as fragrant while Soft Cheese brings mild notes.

Which Is Better, Pecorino Toscano Cheese or Soft 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 spreadable, smooth to runny profile, Soft Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Pecorino Toscano Cheese suits recipes that want fragrant notes, while Soft Cheese fits dishes calling for mild.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pecorino Toscano Cheese the same as Soft Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Pecorino Toscano Cheese is made from sheep milk; Soft Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep. Aging also differs: Pecorino Toscano Cheese is typically aged at least 20 days (soft), four months (semihard), Soft Cheese unmatured to about 1 month.

Is Pecorino Toscano Cheese similar to Soft Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Pecorino Toscano Cheese for Soft Cheese?

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

Does Pecorino Toscano Cheese taste like Soft Cheese?

Pecorino Toscano Cheese reads as fragrant, while Soft Cheese is mild.

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 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 Toscano Cheese or Soft Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Pecorino Toscano Cheese is soft or semihard, while Soft Cheese is spreadable, smooth to runny.