Pecorino Cheese vs Red Leicester Cheese

Pecorino Cheese

Red Leicester Cheese

In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Pecorino Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese, including:

  • "What is the difference between Pecorino Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese?"
  • "Is Pecorino Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese the same?"
  • "How does Pecorino Cheese compare to Red Leicester Cheese cheese?"
  • "How does the taste of Pecorino Cheese compare to Red Leicester Cheese?"
  • "Is Pecorino Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese better?"

Pecorino Cheese Overview

Pecorino is a term for Italian cheeses made from sheep's milk. The most well-known varieties include Pecorino Romano, Pecorino Toscano, and Pecorino Sardo, each named after their region of origin. These cheeses vary in texture from soft and buttery to hard and granular, and they range in flavor from mild to sharp and salty, often aged to develop deeper flavors.

Red Leicester Cheese Overview

Red Leicester is a traditional English cheese made from cow's milk, similar to cheddar but with a more moist, crumblier texture and a milder flavor. It's notable for its vibrant orange color, achieved by adding annatto to the milk. Aged Red Leicester develops a slightly nutty taste, making it a favorite for cheese platters and grating over dishes.

Comparing the Two Cheeses

Country of Origin

Pecorino Cheese comes from Italy. Red Leicester Cheese originated from United Kingdom.

Milk Type and Treatment

Pecorino Cheese is made with sheep milk. Red Leicester Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically pasteurized or unpasteurized.

Composition and Texture

Pecorino's texture can be described as "hard". Red Leicester Cheese has a fat content of high and a moisture content of none. Red Leicester's texture can be described as "hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly".

Taste and Aroma

Red Leicester Cheese has a caramel, sweet taste. Red Leicester's aroma can be described as "mild".

Appearance and Aging

Red Leicester Cheese has a color of reddish-orange , comes in traditional cylindrical, industrial block and has an aging period of 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial .

Rind and Rennet Type

Red Leicester Cheese's rind is described as clothbound (sparkenhoe farm), plastic (industrial) , with animal rennet.

Ranking

Pecorino is ranked #170 out of 996 types based on community views. Red Leicester is ranked #65 out of 996 types based on community views.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Pecorino Cheese Red Leicester Cheese
Country of Origin Italy United Kingdom
Specific Origin Not Specified Leicestershire
Milk Type Sheep's milk Cow's milk
Milk Treatment Not Specified Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others)
Fat Content Not Specified High
Moisture Content Not Specified Medium
Rind Not Specified Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial)
Texture Hard Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly
Taste Not Specified Caramel, sweet
Aroma Not Specified Mild
Colors Not Specified Reddish-orange
Forms Not Specified Traditional cylindrical, industrial block
Age Not Specified 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial
Rennet Type Not Specified Animal

Which One Should You Choose?

If you prefer a hard cheese, go for Pecorino. But if you enjoy a hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly consistency, Red Leicester might be the better pick.

Compare Pecorino Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare Red Leicester Cheese to Other Cheeses

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