Cheese Database

Canestrato vs Pecorino Romano

Canestrato

Facts

Texture
Hard
Type
Pressed
Rind
Natural rind
Country
Italy
Place
Trentino, Apulia, Basilicata, Sicily, Sardinia

Canestrato is an Italian cheese named for the canestro, the basket that drains and shapes the curd. The basket leaves a woven pattern on the rind, and that mark is the shared sign across many local wheels. The regions tied to the name include Trentino, Apulia, Basilicata, Sicily, and Sardinia. Most pieces are pressed, aged, and firm, with a natural rind and a savory paste. A young wheel can be cut for the table, while an older one is kept for grating.

Pecorino Romano, field guide plate
Pecorino Romano, photographed

Pecorino Romano

Facts

Milk
Sheep
Texture
Hard
Type
Pressed
Rind
Natural rind
Country
Italy
Place
Lazio, Sardinia, and Tuscany
Status
PDO

Pecorino Romano is a hard, salty sheep's-milk cheese. Pecora is the Italian word for sheep. Romano is the Roman style.