Brocciu Cheese vs Provolone Cheese

Brocciu Cheese is a soft, creamy goat or sheep-milk cheese from France, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

What Is Brocciu Cheese?

Brocciu is a Corsican cheese made from a mix of whey and ewe's milk. It is eaten fresh or ripened for a few weeks, and it holds less lactose than Italian ricotta, which it often replaces.

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 Brocciu Cheese and Provolone Cheese?

• Origin: Brocciu Cheese (France), Provolone Cheese (Italy)
• Milk type: Brocciu Cheese (goat's or sheep's milk), Provolone Cheese (cow's milk)
• Texture: Brocciu Cheese (Soft, creamy), Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan)
• Aging: Brocciu Cheese (Fresh or matured), Provolone Cheese (at least 4 months for piccante)
• Taste: Brocciu Cheese (Meltingly creamy, saltier when matured), Provolone Cheese (tangy)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brocciu Cheese Taste Like Provolone Cheese?

Brocciu Cheese reads as meltingly creamy, saltier when matured, while Provolone Cheese brings tangy character. On the nose, Brocciu Cheese offers delicious, contrasted with Provolone Cheese's pleasant. Aging plays into this as well. Brocciu Cheese at fresh or matured develops a different profile than Provolone Cheese at at least 4 months for piccante.

Can You Substitute Brocciu Cheese for Provolone Cheese?

Brocciu Cheese can stand in for Provolone Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, creamy bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard, artisan. Flavor-wise, Brocciu Cheese reads as meltingly creamy, saltier when matured while Provolone Cheese brings tangy notes.

Which Is Better, Brocciu Cheese or Provolone Cheese?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brocciu Cheese the same as Provolone Cheese?

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

Is Brocciu Cheese similar to Provolone Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brocciu Cheese for Provolone Cheese?

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

Does Brocciu Cheese taste like Provolone Cheese?

Brocciu Cheese reads as meltingly creamy, saltier when matured, while Provolone Cheese is tangy. Aromas also diverge. Brocciu Cheese leans delicious, and Provolone Cheese is closer to pleasant.

What is Brocciu Cheese made of?

Brocciu Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged fresh or matured. 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, Brocciu Cheese or Provolone Cheese?

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