Ricotta Cheese vs Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese
Ricotta Cheese
Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese
Ricotta Cheese is a soft, moist cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo-milk cheese from Italy, while Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese is firm to smooth and made from cow milk.
What Is Ricotta Cheese?
Ricotta is an Italian whey cheese made from the leftover whey of sheep, cow, goat, or water buffalo milk cheesemaking. The fresh curds are creamy white and slightly sweet, and they turn up in cannoli and cheesecakes as readily as in lasagne and ravioli.
What Is Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
Vorarlberger Bergkäse is a hard cow's milk cheese from the Austrian state of Vorarlberg, made by hand from raw hay milk and protected as a PDO. It ages 3 to 6 months, sometimes past two years, and tastes nutty with herbal notes.
What's the Difference Between Ricotta Cheese and Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
- Milk type: Ricotta Cheese (cow's, goat's, sheep's or water buffalo's milk), Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese (Cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Ricotta Cheese (Whey), Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese (Raw)
- Texture: Ricotta Cheese (Soft, moist), Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese (Firm to smooth)
- Rind: Ricotta Cheese (None), Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese (Smear-ripened to dried, brownish yellow to brown granular rind)
- Aging: Ricotta Cheese (Fresh), Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese (At least 3 months)
- Taste: Ricotta Cheese (Sweet, slightly creamy), Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese (Spicy, becoming sharp with increasing age)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Ricotta Cheese | Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | — |
| Specific Origin | Italy | Vorarlberg, Including Regions Bregenzerwald, Kleinwalsertal, Großwalsertal, Leiblachtal (Pfänderstock), Walgau, And Rheintal. |
| Milk Type | Cow's, goat's, sheep's or water buffalo's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Whey | Raw |
| Texture | Soft, moist | Firm to smooth |
| Rind | None | Smear-ripened to dried, brownish yellow to brown granular rind |
| Aging | Fresh | At least 3 months |
| Taste | Sweet, slightly creamy | Spicy, becoming sharp with increasing age |
Taste Comparison: Does Ricotta Cheese Taste Like Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
Ricotta Cheese reads as sweet, slightly creamy, while Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese brings spicy, becoming sharp with increasing age character. Aging plays into this as well. Ricotta Cheese at fresh develops a different profile than Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese at at least 3 months.
Can You Substitute Ricotta Cheese for Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
Ricotta Cheese can stand in for Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, moist bite and body where the recipe calls for firm to smooth. Flavor-wise, Ricotta Cheese reads as sweet, slightly creamy while Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese brings spicy, becoming sharp with increasing age notes.
Which Is Better, Ricotta Cheese or Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, moist cheese, go with Ricotta Cheese. For a firm to smooth profile, Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Ricotta Cheese suits recipes that want sweet, slightly creamy notes, while Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese fits dishes calling for spicy, becoming sharp with increasing age.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ricotta Cheese the same as Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Ricotta Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk; Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Ricotta Cheese is typically aged fresh, Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese at least 3 months.
Is Ricotta Cheese similar to Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Ricotta Cheese for Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Ricotta Cheese taste like Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
Ricotta Cheese reads as sweet, slightly creamy, while Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese is spicy, becoming sharp with increasing age.
What is Ricotta Cheese made of?
Ricotta Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk (whey), using animal or microbial rennet. It's typically aged fresh. It originates in Italy.
What is Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese made of?
Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using natural rennet. It's typically aged at least 3 months.
Which should I choose, Ricotta Cheese or Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Ricotta Cheese is soft, moist, while Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese is firm to smooth.