Cheese Database

Casu Marzu vs Pecorino Sardo

Casu Marzu, field guide plate
Casu Marzu, photographed

Casu Marzu

Facts

Milk
Sheep
Texture
Soft
Rind
Natural rind
Country
Italy
Place
Sardinia

Casu Marzu is a traditional sheep's milk cheese from Sardinia, in Italy, and it is not a cheese for ordinary shops. Makers start with a firm pecorino and leave the wheel where cheese flies can lay eggs in the paste. Larvae then break the cheese down until the center is very soft, sharp, and pungent. You will not find it in a supermarket case. Food rules do not treat it as a normal commercial cheese, and eating live larvae can be unsafe.

Pecorino Sardo, field guide plate
Pecorino Sardo, photographed

Pecorino Sardo

Facts

Milk
Sheep
Texture
Semi-hard
Type
Pressed
Rind
Natural rind
Country
Italy
Place
Sardinia
Status
PDO

Pecorino Sardo is a semi-hard sheep's milk cheese from Sardinia, and the name is protected. Whole sheep's milk from the island is the only milk used for the protected cheese. It is made in two styles, Dolce and Maturo, and they differ in age, texture, and bite. Dolce is the milder table cheese. Maturo is drier, sharper, and suited to grating as well as the board.