Brin d'Amour Cheese vs Provolone Cheese

Brin d'Amour Cheese is a soft to firm sheep-milk cheese from France, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

What Is Brin d'Amour Cheese?

Brin d'amour is a Corsican raw sheep's milk cheese created in the 1950s. It is known for a natural rind dusted with herbs of the maquis, which pass their flavor into the soft ivory paste as the cheese ages.

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 Brin d'Amour Cheese and Provolone Cheese?

• Origin: Brin d'Amour Cheese (France), Provolone Cheese (Italy)
• Milk type: Brin d'Amour Cheese (sheep's milk), Provolone Cheese (cow's milk)
• Texture: Brin d'Amour Cheese (Soft to firm), Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan)
• Aging: Brin d'Amour Cheese (1 to 3 months), Provolone Cheese (at least 4 months for piccante)
• Taste: Brin d'Amour Cheese (Earthy), Provolone Cheese (tangy)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brin d'Amour Cheese Taste Like Provolone Cheese?

Brin d'Amour Cheese reads as earthy, while Provolone Cheese brings tangy character. On the nose, Brin d'Amour Cheese offers herbaceous, contrasted with Provolone Cheese's pleasant. Aging plays into this as well. Brin d'Amour Cheese at 1 to 3 months develops a different profile than Provolone Cheese at at least 4 months for piccante.

Can You Substitute Brin d'Amour Cheese for Provolone Cheese?

Brin d'Amour Cheese can stand in for Provolone Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft to firm bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard, artisan. Flavor-wise, Brin d'Amour Cheese reads as earthy while Provolone Cheese brings tangy notes.

Which Is Better, Brin d'Amour Cheese or Provolone Cheese?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brin d'Amour Cheese the same as Provolone Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brin d'Amour Cheese originates in France, while Provolone Cheese comes from Italy. Brin d'Amour Cheese is made from sheep milk; Provolone Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Brin d'Amour Cheese is typically aged 1 to 3 months, Provolone Cheese at least 4 months for piccante.

Is Brin d'Amour Cheese similar to Provolone Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brin d'Amour Cheese for Provolone Cheese?

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

Does Brin d'Amour Cheese taste like Provolone Cheese?

Brin d'Amour Cheese reads as earthy, while Provolone Cheese is tangy. Aromas also diverge. Brin d'Amour Cheese leans herbaceous, and Provolone Cheese is closer to pleasant.

What is Brin d'Amour Cheese made of?

Brin d'Amour Cheese is made from sheep milk (raw). It's typically aged 1 to 3 months. It originates in France.

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, Brin d'Amour Cheese or Provolone Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brin d'Amour Cheese is soft to firm, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan.