Pecorino Cheese vs Pecorino di Filiano Cheese
Pecorino Cheese
Pecorino di Filiano Cheese
Pecorino Cheese is a hard sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Pecorino di Filiano Cheese is hard and made from sheep milk, originating in Italy.
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What Is Pecorino Cheese?
Pecorino is an Italian hard cheese made from sheep's milk, and its name comes from pecora, the Italian word for sheep. Six main varieties carry PDO status, with Pecorino Romano the best known outside Italy.
What Is Pecorino di Filiano Cheese?
Pecorino di Filiano is a firm sheep milk cheese made in the province of Potenza, in Basilicata, southern Italy. It has held protected designation of origin status since 2007, and the village of Filiano celebrates it with a festival each September.
What's the Difference Between Pecorino Cheese and Pecorino di Filiano Cheese?
- Aging: Pecorino Cheese (fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato), Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Two to five months, over six months)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Pecorino Cheese | Pecorino di Filiano Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Italy | Northwest Of The Basilicata Region |
| Milk Type | Sheep's milk | Sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Raw |
| Texture | Hard | Hard |
| Rind | — | Golden yellow to dark brown |
| Aging | Fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato | Two to five months, over six months |
| Taste | — | Sweet and delicate to strong and savoury |
Taste Comparison: Does Pecorino Cheese Taste Like Pecorino di Filiano Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Pecorino Cheese shows buttery, nutty, mild cream and milk, while Pecorino di Filiano Cheese leans toward sweet in semi-aged, savoury in aged. Aging plays into this as well. Pecorino Cheese at fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato develops a different profile than Pecorino di Filiano Cheese at two to five months, over six months.
Can You Substitute Pecorino Cheese for Pecorino di Filiano Cheese?
In most recipes, Pecorino Cheese and Pecorino di Filiano Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are sheep-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over.
Which Is Better, Pecorino Cheese or Pecorino di Filiano Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pecorino Cheese the same as Pecorino di Filiano Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Pecorino Cheese is typically aged fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato, Pecorino di Filiano Cheese two to five months, over six months.
Is Pecorino Cheese similar to Pecorino di Filiano Cheese?
Yes, they share close profiles. Same milk base and similar texture make them workable alternatives in many recipes.
Can I substitute Pecorino Cheese for Pecorino di Filiano Cheese?
Yes, quite easily. The milk base and texture are close enough that most recipes won't notice the swap.
Does Pecorino Cheese taste like Pecorino di Filiano Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Pecorino Cheese made of?
Pecorino Cheese is made from sheep milk. It's typically aged fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato. It originates in Italy.
What is Pecorino di Filiano Cheese made of?
Pecorino di Filiano Cheese is made from sheep milk (raw), using goat or lamb rennet. It's typically aged two to five months, over six months. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Pecorino Cheese or Pecorino di Filiano Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.