Pérail Cheese vs Pimento Cheese
Pérail Cheese is a soft sheep-milk cheese from France, while Pimento Cheese is spreadable, originating in United States.
What Is Pérail Cheese?
Pérail is a soft sheep's milk cheese from Aveyron in southern France, sold in small rounds with an ivory, wrinkly rind. Older wheels taste distinctly sheepy.
What Is Pimento Cheese?
Pimento cheese is a spread of grated cheddar, mayonnaise and chopped pimentos worked into a chunky paste. It started in the Northern United States in the early 1900s and is now tied to Southern cooking, served on crackers, in sandwiches and at the Masters Tournament.
What's the Difference Between Pérail Cheese and Pimento Cheese?
- Origin: Pérail Cheese (France), Pimento Cheese (United States)
- Milk type: Pérail Cheese (sheep), Pimento Cheese (Cheddar, farmers’ style)
- Texture: Pérail Cheese (soft), Pimento Cheese (Spreadable)
- Taste: Pérail Cheese (distinctly sheepy in older cheeses), Pimento Cheese (Sweet, rounded chili)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Pérail Cheese | Pimento Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | United States |
| Specific Origin | Aveyron, France | Northern United States, Now Associated With The Southern United States |
| Milk Type | Sheep | Cheddar, farmers’ style |
| Texture | Soft | Spreadable |
| Rind | Wrinkly, mainly Geotrichum candidum | — |
| Aging | 2 to 8 weeks | — |
| Taste | Distinctly sheepy in older cheeses | Sweet, rounded chili |
Taste Comparison: Does Pérail Cheese Taste Like Pimento Cheese?
Pérail Cheese reads as distinctly sheepy in older cheeses, while Pimento Cheese brings sweet, rounded chili character.
Can You Substitute Pérail Cheese for Pimento Cheese?
Pérail Cheese can stand in for Pimento Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft bite and body where the recipe calls for spreadable. Flavor-wise, Pérail Cheese reads as distinctly sheepy in older cheeses while Pimento Cheese brings sweet, rounded chili notes.
Which Is Better, Pérail Cheese or Pimento Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft cheese, go with Pérail Cheese. For a spreadable profile, Pimento Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Pérail Cheese suits recipes that want distinctly sheepy in older cheeses notes, while Pimento Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet, rounded chili.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pérail Cheese the same as Pimento Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Pérail Cheese originates in France, while Pimento Cheese comes from United States.
Is Pérail Cheese similar to Pimento Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Pérail Cheese for Pimento Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Pérail Cheese taste like Pimento Cheese?
Pérail Cheese reads as distinctly sheepy in older cheeses, while Pimento Cheese is sweet, rounded chili.
What is Pérail Cheese made of?
Pérail Cheese is made from sheep milk. It's typically aged 2 to 8 weeks. It originates in France.
What is Pimento Cheese made of?
Pimento Cheese is made from milk. It originates in United States.
Which should I choose, Pérail Cheese or Pimento Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Pérail Cheese is soft, while Pimento Cheese is spreadable.