Pecorino Cheese vs Pecorino-Style Cheese

Pecorino Cheese is a hard sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Pecorino-Style Cheese is hard, crumbly and made from sheep milk.

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-Style Cheese?

Pecorino-Style cheese is a hard, aged cheese made from sheep's milk, inspired by traditional Italian Pecorino. It has a crumbly texture and a sharp, salty flavor with a hint of nuttiness. The cheese is typically pale yellow, with a natural rind that can be dark brown or black. As it ages, the flavor becomes more intense and the texture drier. It's commonly used for grating over pasta dishes or enjoyed on a cheese board with fruits and nuts. Pecorino-Style cheese pairs well with robust red wines and can be a flavorful addition to salads and soups.

What's the Difference Between Pecorino Cheese and Pecorino-Style Cheese?

• Texture: Pecorino Cheese (Hard), Pecorino-Style Cheese (Hard, crumbly)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Pecorino Cheese Taste Like Pecorino-Style Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct.

Can You Substitute Pecorino Cheese for Pecorino-Style Cheese?

In most recipes, Pecorino Cheese and Pecorino-Style Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are sheep-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect hard bite and body where the recipe calls for hard, crumbly.

Which Is Better, Pecorino Cheese or Pecorino-Style Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard cheese, go with Pecorino Cheese. For a hard, crumbly profile, Pecorino-Style Cheese is the better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pecorino Cheese the same as Pecorino-Style Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses.

Is Pecorino Cheese similar to Pecorino-Style Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a sheep-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Pecorino Cheese for Pecorino-Style Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Pecorino Cheese taste like Pecorino-Style 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-Style Cheese made of?

Pecorino-Style Cheese is made from sheep milk.

Which should I choose, Pecorino Cheese or Pecorino-Style Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Pecorino Cheese is hard, while Pecorino-Style Cheese is hard, crumbly.