Brie Cheese vs Provolone del Monaco Cheese

Q: Is Brie Cheese the same as Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

No. Brie Cheese and Provolone del Monaco Cheese are distinct cheeses from France and Italy respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Brie Cheese for Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Brie Cheese for Provolone del Monaco Cheese, though the result will shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Q: Which should I choose, Brie Cheese or Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Brie Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese is compact with eyes and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

What Is Brie Cheese?

Brie is a soft cow's milk cheese named after the French region it comes from, pale under a white mould rind. It runs 60 to 75 percent butterfat and tastes creamy, nutty and mushroom-like, with a faint acidity. The rind is eaten along with the paste.

What Is Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

Provolone del Monaco is an Italian cheese made from the milk of the Agerolese cow in the hills behind Naples. It is named for the heavy cloaks its makers wore when they landed at the port of Naples, and it has held PDO status since 2010.

What's the Difference Between Brie Cheese and Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

Origin: Brie Cheese (France), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Italy)
Milk treatment: Brie Cheese (Raw, Pasteurized), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Raw)
Texture: Brie Cheese (Soft), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Compact with eyes)
Rind: Brie Cheese (Bloomy), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Thin and smooth pale-yellow)
Aging: Brie Cheese (at least 4 to 5 weeks; several months to a year for brie noir), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (At least 6 months)
Taste: Brie Cheese (Nutty, Mushroom), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Brie Cheese	Provolone del Monaco Cheese
Country of Origin	France	Italy
Specific Origin	Brie	Municipalities In The Metropolitan City Of Naples
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	Raw, Pasteurized	Raw
Texture	Soft	Compact with eyes
Rind	Bloomy	Thin and smooth pale-yellow
Aging	At least 4 to 5 weeks; several months to a year for brie noir	At least 6 months
Taste	Nutty, Mushroom	Sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste

Taste Comparison: Does Brie Cheese Taste Like Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

Brie Cheese reads as nutty, mushroom, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese brings sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste character. On the nose, Brie Cheese offers ammoniated when overripe, contrasted with Provolone del Monaco Cheese's sweet and buttery. Aging plays into this as well. Brie Cheese at at least 4 to 5 weeks; several months to a year for brie noir develops a different profile than Provolone del Monaco Cheese at at least 6 months.

Can You Substitute Brie Cheese for Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

In most recipes, Brie Cheese and Provolone del Monaco Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect soft bite and body where the recipe calls for compact with eyes. Flavor-wise, Brie Cheese reads as nutty, mushroom while Provolone del Monaco Cheese brings sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste notes.

Which Is Better, Brie Cheese or Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft cheese, go with Brie Cheese. For a compact with eyes profile, Provolone del Monaco Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brie Cheese suits recipes that want nutty, mushroom notes, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste.

Which is your favorite?

One click, anonymous. See what others chose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brie Cheese the same as Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brie Cheese originates in France, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese comes from Italy. Aging also differs: Brie Cheese is typically aged at least 4 to 5 weeks; several months to a year for brie noir, Provolone del Monaco Cheese at least 6 months.

Is Brie Cheese similar to Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Brie Cheese for Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Brie Cheese taste like Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

Brie Cheese reads as nutty, mushroom, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese is sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste. Aromas also diverge. Brie Cheese leans ammoniated when overripe, and Provolone del Monaco Cheese is closer to sweet and buttery.

What is Brie Cheese made of?

Brie Cheese is made from cow milk (raw, pasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged at least 4 to 5 weeks; several months to a year for brie noir. It originates in France.

What is Provolone del Monaco Cheese made of?

Provolone del Monaco Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using kid rennet paste or calf liquid rennet or a combination of both rennet. It's typically aged at least 6 months. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Brie Cheese or Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brie Cheese is soft, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese is compact with eyes.