Pecorino Cheese vs Pule Cheese

Q: Is Pecorino Cheese the same as Pule Cheese?

No. Pecorino Cheese and Pule Cheese are distinct cheeses from Italy and Serbia respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Pecorino Cheese for Pule Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Pecorino Cheese for Pule Cheese, though the result will shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Q: Does Pecorino Cheese taste like Pule Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. See the side-by-side table above for details.

Q: Which should I choose, Pecorino Cheese or Pule Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Pecorino Cheese is a hard sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Pule Cheese is artisan, originating in Serbia.

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 Pule Cheese?

Pule, or magareći sir, is a Serbian cheese made from 60% Balkan donkey milk and 40% goat's milk at the Zasavica Nature Reserve. It is reported to be the world's most expensive cheese at US$1300 per kilogram.

What's the Difference Between Pecorino Cheese and Pule Cheese?

Origin: Pecorino Cheese (Italy), Pule Cheese (Serbia)
Milk type: Pecorino Cheese (sheep's milk), Pule Cheese (donkey's milk)
Texture: Pecorino Cheese (hard), Pule Cheese (artisan)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Pecorino Cheese	Pule Cheese
Country of Origin	Italy	Serbia
Specific Origin	Italy	Zasavica
Milk Type	Sheep's milk	Donkey's milk
Texture	Hard	Artisan
Aging	Fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato	—
Taste	—	Nutty and earthy

Taste Comparison: Does Pecorino Cheese Taste Like Pule Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Pecorino Cheese shows buttery, nutty, mild cream and milk, while Pule Cheese leans toward nutty and earthy, reputedly similar to manchego.

Can You Substitute Pecorino Cheese for Pule Cheese?

Pecorino Cheese can stand in for Pule 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 artisan.

Which Is Better, Pecorino Cheese or Pule 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 artisan profile, Pule Cheese is the better fit.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pecorino Cheese the same as Pule Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Pecorino Cheese originates in Italy, while Pule Cheese comes from Serbia.

Is Pecorino Cheese similar to Pule Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Pecorino Cheese for Pule Cheese?

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

Does Pecorino Cheese taste like Pule 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 Pule Cheese made of?

Pule Cheese is made from milk. It originates in Serbia.

Which should I choose, Pecorino Cheese or Pule Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Pecorino Cheese is hard, while Pule Cheese is artisan.