Pecorino Cheese vs Provolone Cheese
Pecorino Cheese
Provolone Cheese
Pecorino Cheese is a hard sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
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 Cheese?
Provolone is an Italian semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk with a stretched curd. It runs from the very sharp piccante, aged at least four months, to the mild dolce.
What's the Difference Between Pecorino Cheese and Provolone Cheese?
- Milk type: Pecorino Cheese (sheep's milk), Provolone Cheese (cow's milk)
- Texture: Pecorino Cheese (hard), Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan)
- Aging: Pecorino Cheese (fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato), Provolone Cheese (at least 4 months for piccante)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Pecorino Cheese | Provolone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Italy | Campania, Italy |
| Milk Type | Sheep's milk | Cow's milk |
| Texture | Hard | Semi-hard, artisan |
| Aging | Fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato | At least 4 months for piccante |
| Taste | — | Tangy |
Taste Comparison: Does Pecorino Cheese Taste Like Provolone 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 Cheese at at least 4 months for piccante.
Can You Substitute Pecorino Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
Pecorino Cheese can stand in for Provolone 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, artisan.
Which Is Better, Pecorino Cheese or Provolone 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, artisan profile, Provolone Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pecorino Cheese the same as Provolone Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Pecorino Cheese is made from sheep milk; Provolone Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Pecorino Cheese is typically aged fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato, Provolone Cheese at least 4 months for piccante.
Is Pecorino Cheese similar to Provolone Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Pecorino Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Pecorino Cheese taste like Provolone 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 Cheese made of?
Provolone Cheese is made from cow milk. It's typically aged at least 4 months for piccante. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Pecorino Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Pecorino Cheese is hard, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan.