Pecorino Cheese vs West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese
Pecorino Cheese is a hard sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is firm and made from cow milk.
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 West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
West Country Farmhouse Cheddar is a firm cow's milk cheese made by traditional methods in Somerset, Devon, Dorset and Cornwall. Its name has been protected in the EU and UK since 2007, and only milk from those four counties may be used.
What's the Difference Between Pecorino Cheese and West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
- Milk type: Pecorino Cheese (sheep's milk), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Cow)
- Texture: Pecorino Cheese (hard), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Firm)
- Aging: Pecorino Cheese (fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Minimum 9 months)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Pecorino Cheese | West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | — |
| Specific Origin | Italy | Dorset, Somerset, Devon And Cornwall |
| Milk Type | Sheep's milk | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | — | Raw |
| Texture | Hard | Firm |
| Rind | — | Cloth-wrapped |
| Aging | Fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato | Minimum 9 months |
| Taste | — | Nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness |
Taste Comparison: Does Pecorino Cheese Taste Like West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Pecorino Cheese shows buttery, nutty, mild cream and milk, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese leans toward sharp and pungent, often slightly earthy, with a hazelnut note and large calcium lactate crystals when well matured. Aging plays into this as well. Pecorino Cheese at fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato develops a different profile than West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese at minimum 9 months.
Can You Substitute Pecorino Cheese for West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
Pecorino Cheese can stand in for West Country Farmhouse Cheddar 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 firm.
Which Is Better, Pecorino Cheese or West Country Farmhouse Cheddar 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 firm profile, West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pecorino Cheese the same as West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Pecorino Cheese is made from sheep milk; West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Pecorino Cheese is typically aged fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato, West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese minimum 9 months.
Is Pecorino Cheese similar to West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Pecorino Cheese for West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Pecorino Cheese taste like West Country Farmhouse Cheddar 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 West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese made of?
West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged minimum 9 months.
Which should I choose, Pecorino Cheese or West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Pecorino Cheese is hard, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is firm.