Pecorino Cheese vs Scamorza Cheese

Pecorino Cheese is a hard sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Scamorza Cheese is semi-soft and made from cow 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 Scamorza Cheese?

Scamorza is a southern Italian pasta filata cheese, usually made from cow's milk. It is tied with string and hung to dry into a pear-like shape, sold unsmoked or smoked, and works as a substitute for mozzarella in most dishes.

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

• Milk type: Pecorino Cheese (sheep's milk), Scamorza Cheese (cow's milk)
• Texture: Pecorino Cheese (hard), Scamorza Cheese (semi-soft)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Pecorino Cheese Taste Like Scamorza Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct.

Can You Substitute Pecorino Cheese for Scamorza Cheese?

Pecorino Cheese can stand in for Scamorza 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 semi-soft.

Which Is Better, Pecorino Cheese or Scamorza 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 semi-soft profile, Scamorza Cheese is the better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pecorino Cheese the same as Scamorza Cheese?

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

Is Pecorino Cheese similar to Scamorza Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Pecorino Cheese for Scamorza Cheese?

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

Does Pecorino Cheese taste like Scamorza 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 Scamorza Cheese made of?

Scamorza Cheese is made from cow milk. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Pecorino Cheese or Scamorza Cheese?

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