Pecorino Cheese vs Piave Cheese
Pecorino Cheese
Piave Cheese
Pecorino Cheese is a hard sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Piave Cheese is hard and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
Buy Pecorino Cheese
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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 Piave Cheese?
Piave is a hard, cooked curd cow's milk cheese from the province of Belluno in the far north of Veneto, named after the Piave river. It carries DOP protection and comes at five ages, from a 20 day Fresco to a Riserva aged past 18 months that grates like young Parmesan.
What's the Difference Between Pecorino Cheese and Piave Cheese?
- Milk type: Pecorino Cheese (Sheep's milk), Piave Cheese (Cow's milk)
- Aging: Pecorino Cheese (fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato), Piave Cheese (Twenty to sixty days (Fresco) to over eighteen months (Vecchio Riserva))
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Pecorino Cheese | Piave Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Italy | Northern Veneto |
| Milk Type | Sheep's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Hard | Hard |
| Rind | — | Soft and clear to hard and brown |
| Aging | Fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato | Twenty to sixty days (Fresco) to over eighteen months (Vecchio Riserva) |
| Taste | — | Nutty, sweet |
Taste Comparison: Does Pecorino Cheese Taste Like Piave Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Pecorino Cheese shows buttery, nutty, mild cream and milk, while Piave Cheese leans toward tropical fruit undertones, intensifies with aging. Aging plays into this as well. Pecorino Cheese at fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato develops a different profile than Piave Cheese at twenty to sixty days (fresco) to over eighteen months (vecchio riserva).
Can You Substitute Pecorino Cheese for Piave Cheese?
Pecorino Cheese can stand in for Piave Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Pecorino Cheese or Piave 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 Piave Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Pecorino Cheese is made from sheep milk; Piave Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Pecorino Cheese is typically aged fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato, Piave Cheese twenty to sixty days (fresco) to over eighteen months (vecchio riserva).
Is Pecorino Cheese similar to Piave Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Pecorino Cheese for Piave Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Pecorino Cheese taste like Piave 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 Piave Cheese made of?
Piave Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged twenty to sixty days (fresco) to over eighteen months (vecchio riserva). It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Pecorino Cheese or Piave Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.