Pecorino Cheese vs Provolone del Monaco Cheese
Pecorino Cheese
Provolone del Monaco Cheese
Pecorino Cheese is a hard sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese is semi-hard and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
Buy Pecorino Cheese
Buy Provolone del Monaco Cheese
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 Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
Provolone del Monaco is an Italian cheese made from the milk of the Agerolese cow in the hills behind Naples. It is named for the heavy cloaks its makers wore when they landed at the port of Naples, and it has held PDO status since 2010.
What's the Difference Between Pecorino Cheese and Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
- Milk type: Pecorino Cheese (Sheep's milk), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Cow's milk)
- Texture: Pecorino Cheese (Hard), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Semi-hard)
- Aging: Pecorino Cheese (fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (At least 6 months)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Pecorino Cheese | Provolone del Monaco Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Italy | Municipalities In The Metropolitan City Of Naples |
| Milk Type | Sheep's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Raw |
| Texture | Hard | Semi-hard |
| Rind | — | Thin and smooth pale-yellow |
| Aging | Fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato | At least 6 months |
| Taste | — | Sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste |
Taste Comparison: Does Pecorino Cheese Taste Like Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Pecorino Cheese at fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato develops a different profile than Provolone del Monaco Cheese at at least 6 months.
Can You Substitute Pecorino Cheese for Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
Pecorino Cheese can stand in for Provolone del Monaco Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect hard bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard.
Which Is Better, Pecorino Cheese or Provolone del Monaco 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 semi-hard profile, Provolone del Monaco Cheese is the better fit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pecorino Cheese the same as Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Pecorino Cheese is made from sheep milk; Provolone del Monaco Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Pecorino Cheese is typically aged fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato, Provolone del Monaco Cheese at least 6 months.
Is Pecorino Cheese similar to Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Pecorino Cheese for Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Pecorino Cheese taste like Provolone del Monaco 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 Provolone del Monaco Cheese made of?
Provolone del Monaco Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using kid rennet paste or calf liquid rennet or a combination of both rennet. It's typically aged at least 6 months. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Pecorino Cheese or Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Pecorino Cheese is hard, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese is semi-hard.