Blue Cheese vs Provolone Cheese
Blue Cheese
Provolone Cheese
Blue Cheese is a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from France, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Blue Cheese?
A type of cheese injected or inoculated with Penicillium mold to create blue or green veins, resulting in a tangy, sharp flavor and creamy or crumbly texture.
What Is Provolone Cheese?
Provolone is a well-known Italian cheese with a smooth, firm texture and a mild, slightly tangy flavor that becomes sharper and more robust with age. Made from cow's milk, this stretched-curd cheese can be aged from a few months to a year or more. Provolone is excellent for slicing, grating, or melting.
What's the Difference Between Blue Cheese and Provolone Cheese?
- Origin: Blue Cheese (France), Provolone Cheese (Italy)
- Milk type: Blue Cheese (Cow, Sheep, Goat), Provolone Cheese (cow's milk)
- Texture: Blue Cheese (Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft), Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan)
- Taste: Blue Cheese (Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent), Provolone Cheese (tangy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Blue Cheese | Provolone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Italy |
| Milk Type | Cow, Sheep, Goat | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or Raw | — |
| Texture | Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft | Semi-hard, artisan |
| Rind | Natural | — |
| Aging | Typically aged 2-6 months | — |
| Taste | Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent | Tangy |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Blue Cheese | Provolone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Amaro, Apricot, Asian Pear, Cabernet Sauvignon, Dirty Martini, Dried Figs, Fig Jam, German Riesling, Green Apple, Hard Cider, Honey, Honeycomb, IPA, Malbec, Muscat, Pear, Pecans, Port, Scotch, Steak | Pastrami, Salami |
| Other Good Pairings | Almonds, Apples, Belgian Blonde, Bordeaux, Burgundy Red, California Viogniers, Dried Cranberries, Grapes, Merlot, Mushrooms, Olives, Prosciutto, Roast Beef | Chorizo, Grilled Cheese, Ham, Pinot Grigio, Pulled Pork, Roast Beef, Steak, Tomatoes, Tuna, Turkey |
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Where to buy Blue Cheese and Provolone Cheese
Blue Cheese
Provolone Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Blue Cheese Taste Like Provolone Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Provolone Cheese brings tangy character. On the nose, Blue Cheese offers strong, pungent, earthy, funky, contrasted with Provolone Cheese's pleasant.
Can You Substitute Blue Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
Blue Cheese can stand in for Provolone Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect crumbly, creamy, semi-soft bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard, artisan. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent while Provolone Cheese brings tangy notes.
Which Is Better, Blue Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cheese, go with Blue Cheese. For a semi-hard, artisan profile, Provolone Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent notes, while Provolone Cheese fits dishes calling for tangy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Cheese the same as Provolone Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Blue Cheese originates in France, while Provolone Cheese comes from Italy. Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Provolone Cheese uses cow.
Is Blue Cheese similar to Provolone Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Blue Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Blue Cheese taste like Provolone Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Provolone Cheese is tangy. Aromas also diverge. Blue Cheese leans strong, pungent, earthy, funky, and Provolone Cheese is closer to pleasant.
What is Blue Cheese made of?
Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (pasteurized or raw), using traditional (animal rennet) or microbial (varies by producer) rennet. It's typically aged typically aged 2-6 months. It originates in France.
What is Provolone Cheese made of?
Provolone Cheese is made from cow milk. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Blue Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Blue Cheese is crumbly, creamy, semi-soft, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan.
See full profiles: Blue Cheese and Provolone Cheese.