Pecorino Cheese vs Roumy Cheese
Pecorino Cheese is a hard sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Roumy Cheese is hard and made from cow and buffalo milk, originating in Egypt.
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 Roumy Cheese?
Rumi, also spelled Roumy, is the main hard cheese of Egypt, made from cow's or buffalo milk with no starter culture. Three to four months of aging give it an open texture, a pungent smell and a sharp flavor that gets saltier with age.
What's the Difference Between Pecorino Cheese and Roumy Cheese?
- Origin: Pecorino Cheese (Italy), Roumy Cheese (Egypt)
- Milk type: Pecorino Cheese (sheep's milk), Roumy Cheese (cow's and water buffalo's milk)
- Aging: Pecorino Cheese (fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato), Roumy Cheese (3 to 4 months)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Pecorino Cheese | Roumy Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Egypt |
| Specific Origin | Italy | Egypt |
| Milk Type | Sheep's milk | Cow's and water buffalo's milk |
| Texture | Hard | Hard |
| Rind | — | Natural |
| Aging | Fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato | 3 to 4 months |
| Taste | — | Salty, sharp, strong |
Taste Comparison: Does Pecorino Cheese Taste Like Roumy 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 Roumy Cheese at 3 to 4 months.
Can You Substitute Pecorino Cheese for Roumy Cheese?
Pecorino Cheese can stand in for Roumy Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Pecorino Cheese or Roumy Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pecorino Cheese the same as Roumy Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Pecorino Cheese originates in Italy, while Roumy Cheese comes from Egypt. Pecorino Cheese is made from sheep milk; Roumy Cheese uses cow and buffalo. Aging also differs: Pecorino Cheese is typically aged fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato, Roumy Cheese 3 to 4 months.
Is Pecorino Cheese similar to Roumy Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Pecorino Cheese for Roumy Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Pecorino Cheese taste like Roumy 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 Roumy Cheese made of?
Roumy Cheese is made from cow and buffalo milk. It's typically aged 3 to 4 months. It originates in Egypt.
Which should I choose, Pecorino Cheese or Roumy Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.