Parmesan Vs. Pecorino: What's The Difference?
Cheeses come in many shapes, sizes and flavors. While some are meant to be melted between two slices of bread, others are best with a fresh bowl of pasta, like Parmesan and pecorino. But what's the difference between these hard Italian cheeses?
Parmesan is made from cow's milk. It has a hard, brittle rind and grates easily. Parmesan's aging process lasts two years or more, so it has a nutty, salty flavor. It tastes great on eggplant or chicken Parmesan.
Pecorino is made from sheep's milk (pecora means "ewe" in Italian). It's younger than Parmesan, aging only five to eight months, and the shorter process yields a strong, tangy flavor. It stars in dishes like cacio e pepe. Can't decide between the two? We recommend having both.
Learn the difference between these other common ingredients: