Cheese Database

Pecorino Sardo vs Pecorino Toscano

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.

Pecorino Toscano

Facts

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

Pecorino Toscano is a sheep's milk cheese from Tuscany, and the name is protected. Pecorino means a cheese made from sheep's milk, and Toscano places the style in Tuscany, with some making in nearby parts of central Italy. The wheels can be sold young and tender or older and firm. A young cheese is mild and good in slices on a board. An older cheese is drier and saltier, and it is the one to choose when you need to grate.