Pecorino Cheese vs Roquefort Cheese
Pecorino Cheese
Roquefort Cheese
Pecorino Cheese is a hard sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Roquefort Cheese is moist, very creamy and made from sheep milk, originating in France.
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 Roquefort Cheese?
Roquefort is a blue cheese made from raw Lacaune sheep's milk in southern France. Only cheese ripened in the natural Combalou caves of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon may carry the name. It is tangy and creamy, with no rind and a sharp bite from the blue veins.
What's the Difference Between Pecorino Cheese and Roquefort Cheese?
- Origin: Pecorino Cheese (Italy), Roquefort Cheese (France)
- Texture: Pecorino Cheese (hard), Roquefort Cheese (Moist, very creamy)
- Aging: Pecorino Cheese (fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato), Roquefort Cheese (Minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Pecorino Cheese | Roquefort Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | France |
| Specific Origin | Italy | Roquefort-Sur-Soulzon, South Of France |
| Milk Type | Sheep's milk | Sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Hard | Moist, very creamy |
| Rind | — | None |
| Aging | Fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato | Minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months |
| Taste | — | Mild to strong |
Taste Comparison: Does Pecorino Cheese Taste Like Roquefort Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Pecorino Cheese shows buttery, nutty, mild cream and milk, while Roquefort Cheese leans toward buttercream smooth to salty and sharp. Aging plays into this as well. Pecorino Cheese at fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato develops a different profile than Roquefort Cheese at minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months.
Can You Substitute Pecorino Cheese for Roquefort Cheese?
In most recipes, Pecorino Cheese and Roquefort Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are sheep-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect hard bite and body where the recipe calls for moist, very creamy.
Which Is Better, Pecorino Cheese or Roquefort 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 moist, very creamy profile, Roquefort Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pecorino Cheese the same as Roquefort Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Pecorino Cheese originates in Italy, while Roquefort Cheese comes from France. Aging also differs: Pecorino Cheese is typically aged fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato, Roquefort Cheese minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months.
Is Pecorino Cheese similar to Roquefort Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a sheep-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Pecorino Cheese for Roquefort Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Pecorino Cheese taste like Roquefort 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 Roquefort Cheese made of?
Roquefort Cheese is made from sheep milk (unpasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Pecorino Cheese or Roquefort Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Pecorino Cheese is hard, while Roquefort Cheese is moist, very creamy.