Pecorino Cheese vs Stilton Cheese
Pecorino Cheese
Stilton Cheese
Pecorino Cheese is a hard sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Stilton Cheese is hard, blue-veined and made from cow milk, originating in England.
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 Stilton Cheese?
Stilton is an English cheese made in Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire, in a blue version and a white one. The blue kind gets its veins from Penicillium roqueforti. Both hold PDO status, so no cheese made elsewhere can use the name.
What's the Difference Between Pecorino Cheese and Stilton Cheese?
- Origin: Pecorino Cheese (Italy), Stilton Cheese (England)
- Milk type: Pecorino Cheese (sheep's milk), Stilton Cheese (cow's milk)
- Texture: Pecorino Cheese (hard), Stilton Cheese (hard, blue-veined)
- Aging: Pecorino Cheese (fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato), Stilton Cheese (9 to 12 weeks)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Pecorino Cheese | Stilton Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | England |
| Specific Origin | Italy | Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire |
| Milk Type | Sheep's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Hard | Hard, blue-veined |
| Rind | — | Natural |
| Aging | Fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato | 9 to 12 weeks |
| Taste | — | Spicy, strong |
Taste Comparison: Does Pecorino Cheese Taste Like Stilton 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 Stilton Cheese at 9 to 12 weeks.
Can You Substitute Pecorino Cheese for Stilton Cheese?
Pecorino Cheese can stand in for Stilton 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 hard, blue-veined.
Which Is Better, Pecorino Cheese or Stilton 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 hard, blue-veined profile, Stilton Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pecorino Cheese the same as Stilton Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Pecorino Cheese originates in Italy, while Stilton Cheese comes from England. Pecorino Cheese is made from sheep milk; Stilton Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Pecorino Cheese is typically aged fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato, Stilton Cheese 9 to 12 weeks.
Is Pecorino Cheese similar to Stilton Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Pecorino Cheese for Stilton Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Pecorino Cheese taste like Stilton 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 Stilton Cheese made of?
Stilton Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 9 to 12 weeks. It originates in England.
Which should I choose, Pecorino Cheese or Stilton Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Pecorino Cheese is hard, while Stilton Cheese is hard, blue-veined.