Pecorino Toscano PDO

Technical Features

In 1996, the European Commission grant the Protected Designation of Origin to Pecorino Toscano PDO. Since then, only cheese produced and matured in the area of origin, from sheep’s milk coming from the same area, can be called Pecorino Toscano PDO.

Pecorino Toscano PDO’s features depend not only on environmental conditions currently required raising sheep, but also on the production processes. The key element is the milk: only from sheep, produced by flocks reared on the designated PDO territory. The sheep belong to either indigenous breeds (mainly Massese) or imported ones (Comisana and Sarda).

The Tuscan pastures are rich in herbs that make the milk that much more special. Herbs growing in every part of these pastures give each cheese wheel a unique flavor. Unlike other Italian cheeses made from sheep’s milk, Pecorino Toscano PDO has a milder, uniform flavor. Compared to cheese made from cow’s milk or mixed cheeses, it has a stronger flavor, different from generic cheeses and other types of cheeses. Delicate and temperate are two adjectives, almost opposite, which define aged and fresh Pecorino Toscano PDO.