Pecorino Cheese vs Soft Cheese
Pecorino Cheese is a hard sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Soft Cheese is soft, spreadable and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk.
Buy Pecorino Cheese
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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 Soft Cheese?
Soft cheese is the moisture category at the wet end of the scale, holding 55 to 80 percent moisture against its dry weight. It covers soft-ripened cheeses like Brie and Camembert, some blue and pasta filata cheeses, and fresh cheeses, and it is known for being spreadable.
What's the Difference Between Pecorino Cheese and Soft Cheese?
- Milk type: Pecorino Cheese (Sheep's milk), Soft Cheese (Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk)
- Texture: Pecorino Cheese (Hard), Soft Cheese (Soft, spreadable)
- Aging: Pecorino Cheese (fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato), Soft Cheese (unmatured to about 1 month)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Pecorino Cheese | Soft Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | — |
| Specific Origin | Italy | — |
| Milk Type | Sheep's milk | Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk |
| Texture | Hard | Soft, spreadable |
| Rind | — | Bloomy white mold rind, or washed |
| Aging | Fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato | Unmatured to about 1 month |
| Taste | — | Mild |
Taste Comparison: Does Pecorino Cheese Taste Like Soft 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 Soft Cheese at unmatured to about 1 month.
Can You Substitute Pecorino Cheese for Soft Cheese?
Pecorino Cheese can stand in for Soft 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, spreadable.
Which Is Better, Pecorino Cheese or Soft 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, spreadable profile, Soft Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pecorino Cheese the same as Soft Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Pecorino Cheese is made from sheep milk; Soft Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep. Aging also differs: Pecorino Cheese is typically aged fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato, Soft Cheese unmatured to about 1 month.
Is Pecorino Cheese similar to Soft Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Pecorino Cheese for Soft Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Pecorino Cheese taste like Soft 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 Soft Cheese made of?
Soft Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk. It's typically aged unmatured to about 1 month.
Which should I choose, Pecorino Cheese or Soft Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Pecorino Cheese is hard, while Soft Cheese is soft, spreadable.