100% GRATED PARMESAN CHEESE vs MANCHEGO CHEESE
Nutrition comparison per 100 g serving
Parmesan vs manchego: protein, fat and salt
Parmesan is the leaner, more protein dense of the two. Per 100 grams the grated parmesan here carries 40 grams of protein and 30 grams of fat, while manchego brings 25 grams of protein and 35.71 grams of fat. Parmesan also stands out on calcium with 1600 mg against 536 mg, which is typical for a hard, aged, grated cheese.
The trade off is salt. Parmesan lists 1100 mg of sodium per 100 grams, nearly double the 571 mg in manchego. Manchego is the richer cheese on the palate with more total and saturated fat, while parmesan gives you more protein and calcium per bite but a heavier sodium load.
The verdict
For protein and calcium per gram, parmesan wins, which is why a light grating goes a long way on pasta or vegetables. For lower sodium and a richer, fattier slice to eat on its own, manchego is the better pick. Keep in mind that a usual portion of parmesan is small, so its high sodium per 100 grams is spread across many servings.
Overview
| Nutrient | 100% GRATED PARMESAN CHEESE | MANCHEGO CHEESE | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 500 cal | 429 cal | |
| Protein | 40 g | 25 g | |
| Carbs | 0 g | 0 g | Tie |
| Fat | 30 g | 35.7 g | |
| Fiber | 0 g | 0 g | Tie |
| Sugar | 0 g | 0 g | Tie |
Vitamins
| Vitamin | 100% GRATED PARMESAN CHEESE | MANCHEGO CHEESE | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0 MG | 0 MG | Tie |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0 UG | 0 UG | Tie |
Minerals
| Mineral | 100% GRATED PARMESAN CHEESE | MANCHEGO CHEESE | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calcium, Ca | 1,600 MG | 536 MG | |
| Iron, Fe | 7.2 MG | 0 MG | |
| Potassium, K | 0 MG | 0 MG | Tie |
| Sodium, Na | 1,100 MG | 571 MG |
Frequently asked questions
Is parmesan higher in protein than manchego?
Yes. Grated parmesan has 40 grams of protein per 100 grams against 25 grams for manchego, so parmesan delivers noticeably more protein per gram of cheese.
Which cheese has more sodium?
Parmesan, by a wide margin. It lists 1100 mg of sodium per 100 grams compared with 571 mg for manchego, so manchego is the lighter choice on salt.
Which has more calcium, parmesan or manchego?
Parmesan, with 1600 mg of calcium per 100 grams versus 536 mg for manchego. Hard, aged, grated cheeses like parmesan are especially concentrated in calcium.
Is manchego more fattening than parmesan?
Manchego has more fat at 35.71 grams per 100 grams against 30 grams for parmesan, but parmesan has more calories at 500 versus 429 because of its high protein content. Portion size usually matters more than the small gap between them.