Bread Cheese vs Provolone Cheese

Bread Cheese is a squeaky cow or goat-milk cheese from Finland, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

What Is Bread Cheese?

Bread cheese, or leipäjuusto, is a Finnish fresh cheese traditionally made from cow's colostrum and baked until the surface browns. It has a mild flavor, squeaks against the teeth, and is usually eaten in slices with coffee.

What Is Provolone Cheese?

Provolone is an Italian semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk with a stretched curd. It runs from the very sharp piccante, aged at least four months, to the mild dolce.

What's the Difference Between Bread Cheese and Provolone Cheese?

• Origin: Bread Cheese (Finland), Provolone Cheese (Italy)
• Milk type: Bread Cheese (cow, goat), Provolone Cheese (cow's milk)
• Texture: Bread Cheese (squeaky), Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan)
• Aging: Bread Cheese (fresh), Provolone Cheese (at least 4 months for piccante)
• Taste: Bread Cheese (mild), Provolone Cheese (tangy)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Bread Cheese Taste Like Provolone Cheese?

Bread Cheese reads as mild, while Provolone Cheese brings tangy character. On the nose, Bread Cheese offers appetizing when heated, contrasted with Provolone Cheese's pleasant. Aging plays into this as well. Bread Cheese at fresh develops a different profile than Provolone Cheese at at least 4 months for piccante.

Can You Substitute Bread Cheese for Provolone Cheese?

Bread Cheese can stand in for Provolone Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect squeaky bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard, artisan. Flavor-wise, Bread Cheese reads as mild while Provolone Cheese brings tangy notes.

Which Is Better, Bread Cheese or Provolone Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a squeaky cheese, go with Bread Cheese. For a semi-hard, artisan profile, Provolone Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Bread Cheese suits recipes that want mild notes, while Provolone Cheese fits dishes calling for tangy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bread Cheese the same as Provolone Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Bread Cheese originates in Finland, while Provolone Cheese comes from Italy. Bread Cheese is made from cow or goat milk; Provolone Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Bread Cheese is typically aged fresh, Provolone Cheese at least 4 months for piccante.

Is Bread Cheese similar to Provolone Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Bread Cheese for Provolone Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Bread Cheese taste like Provolone Cheese?

Bread Cheese reads as mild, while Provolone Cheese is tangy. Aromas also diverge. Bread Cheese leans appetizing when heated, and Provolone Cheese is closer to pleasant.

What is Bread Cheese made of?

Bread Cheese is made from cow or goat milk. It's typically aged fresh. It originates in Finland.

What is Provolone Cheese made of?

Provolone Cheese is made from cow milk. It's typically aged at least 4 months for piccante. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Bread Cheese or Provolone Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Bread Cheese is squeaky, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan.