Pecorino Cheese vs Robiola Cheese

Pecorino Cheese is a hard sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Robiola Cheese is soft-ripened, creamy and made from cow, goat, or sheep 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 Robiola Cheese?

Robiola is an Italian soft-ripened cheese from the Langhe, made with varying proportions of cow's, goat's and sheep's milk. Its taste and look shift by producer, from the rindless Robiola di Roccaverano to the bloomy-rinded Robiola Lombardia.

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

• Milk type: Pecorino Cheese (sheep's milk), Robiola Cheese (cow, goat, sheep)
• Texture: Pecorino Cheese (hard), Robiola Cheese (soft-ripened, creamy)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Pecorino Cheese Taste Like Robiola Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Pecorino Cheese shows buttery, nutty, mild cream and milk, while Robiola Cheese leans toward smooth and full, tangy-lactic, sweet and yielding in the roccaverano style.

Can You Substitute Pecorino Cheese for Robiola Cheese?

Pecorino Cheese can stand in for Robiola 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 soft-ripened, creamy.

Which Is Better, Pecorino Cheese or Robiola 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 soft-ripened, creamy profile, Robiola Cheese is the better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pecorino Cheese the same as Robiola Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Pecorino Cheese is made from sheep milk; Robiola Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep.

Is Pecorino Cheese similar to Robiola Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Pecorino Cheese for Robiola Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Pecorino Cheese taste like Robiola 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 Robiola Cheese made of?

Robiola Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Pecorino Cheese or Robiola Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Pecorino Cheese is hard, while Robiola Cheese is soft-ripened, creamy.