# Owwww, it hurts! (Peccorino cheese)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/owwww-it-hurts-peccorino-cheese/107298>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 4, 2002, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/owwww-it-hurts-peccorino-cheese/107298 "2002-05-04T21:24:43Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\
**Post date:** [May 4, 2002, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/owwww-it-hurts-peccorino-cheese/107298/1 "2002-05-04T21:24:43Z")

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I just bought a chunk of Peccorino, which I have never tried before and although I know that it’s normally grated and used like parmesan, I thought I’d taste a little piece. It hurt my tongue and lips; It’s quite, but not extremely salty so I don’t think it was the salt that stung me.

Any ideas?

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**Author:** ![Bromley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4da419/32.png) [@Bromley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bromley)\
**Post date:** [May 4, 2002, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/owwww-it-hurts-peccorino-cheese/107298/2 "2002-05-04T21:37:37Z")

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I don’t suppose it could be an [allergy?](http://www.nutramed.com/Foodallergy/faref98.htm)

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**Author:** ![Bromley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4da419/32.png) [@Bromley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bromley)\
**Post date:** [May 4, 2002, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/owwww-it-hurts-peccorino-cheese/107298/3 "2002-05-04T21:38:46Z")

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BTW, I only said that because the lips are usually my first indication that I’ve eaten some nuts.

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**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\
**Post date:** [May 4, 2002, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/owwww-it-hurts-peccorino-cheese/107298/4 "2002-05-04T21:45:16Z")

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I eat quite a lot of cheese and haven’t had any problems before; as far as I know, I’m only allergic to one thing; raw onions (I get symptoms not unlike a hangover);

There was no swelling associated with this pain and it was almost immediate, but not very long-lasting; I don’t _think_ it is an allergy.

Thanks for the suggestion though.

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**Author:** ![Bromley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4da419/32.png) [@Bromley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bromley)\
**Post date:** [May 4, 2002, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/owwww-it-hurts-peccorino-cheese/107298/5 "2002-05-04T22:05:36Z")

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But do you eat many _sheep’s_ milk cheeses? Having said that, I wouldn’t expect an allergy to give short-term symptoms. Have you repeated the tasting?

I have problems with onions. Unfortunately, I love raw onion 🙂 . I’ve not heard of the hangover effects before.

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**Author:** ![scm1001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@scm1001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scm1001)\
**Post date:** [May 4, 2002, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/owwww-it-hurts-peccorino-cheese/107298/6 "2002-05-04T22:11:22Z")

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peccorino can be quite sharp and tangy. I love the sensation but my wife finds her mouth can pucker up and she doesn’t like it

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**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\
**Post date:** [May 4, 2002, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/owwww-it-hurts-peccorino-cheese/107298/7 "2002-05-04T22:25:01Z")

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Yeah, I’ve eaten all kinds of cheese before; maybe it’s just the combination of salt and acidity.