Cabrales Cheese vs Provolone Cheese
Cabrales Cheese
Provolone Cheese
Cabrales Cheese is a crumbly, open paste cow-milk cheese from Spain, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Cabrales Cheese?
Cabrales is a strong, pungent blue cheese from the Asturias region in northern Spain. It is traditionally made from a mixture of raw cow's, goat’s, and sheep's milk that is aged in natural limestone caves, facilitating the development of its intense flavor and blue veining. Cabrales is known for its deep, spicy earthiness and can be quite sharp, making it a favorite among blue cheese aficionados.
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 Cabrales Cheese and Provolone Cheese?
- Origin: Cabrales Cheese (Spain), Provolone Cheese (Italy)
- Texture: Cabrales Cheese (Crumbly, open paste), Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan)
- Taste: Cabrales Cheese (Intense, piquant), Provolone Cheese (tangy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cabrales Cheese | Provolone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Spain | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Asturias | — |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | — |
| Texture | Crumbly, open paste | Semi-hard, artisan |
| Rind | Natural | — |
| Aging | 2 to 3 months | — |
| Taste | Intense, piquant | Tangy |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Cabrales Cheese | Provolone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | — | Pastrami, Salami |
| Other Good Pairings | — | Chorizo, Grilled Cheese, Ham, Pinot Grigio, Pulled Pork, Roast Beef, Steak, Tomatoes, Tuna, Turkey |
Which would you pick?
One click, anonymous — see what others chose.
Where to buy Cabrales Cheese and Provolone Cheese
Cabrales Cheese
Provolone Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Cabrales Cheese Taste Like Provolone Cheese?
Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant, while Provolone Cheese brings tangy character. On the nose, Cabrales Cheese offers strong, contrasted with Provolone Cheese's pleasant.
Can You Substitute Cabrales Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
In most recipes, Cabrales Cheese and Provolone Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect crumbly, open paste bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard, artisan. Flavor-wise, Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant while Provolone Cheese brings tangy notes.
Which Is Better, Cabrales Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a crumbly, open paste cheese, go with Cabrales Cheese. For a semi-hard, artisan profile, Provolone Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cabrales Cheese suits recipes that want intense, piquant notes, while Provolone Cheese fits dishes calling for tangy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cabrales Cheese the same as Provolone Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Cabrales Cheese originates in Spain, while Provolone Cheese comes from Italy.
Is Cabrales Cheese similar to Provolone Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Cabrales Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Cabrales Cheese taste like Provolone Cheese?
Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant, while Provolone Cheese is tangy. Aromas also diverge. Cabrales Cheese leans strong, and Provolone Cheese is closer to pleasant.
What is Cabrales Cheese made of?
Cabrales Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using kid rennet. It's typically aged 2 to 3 months. It originates in Spain.
What is Provolone Cheese made of?
Provolone Cheese is made from cow milk. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Cabrales Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cabrales Cheese is crumbly, open paste, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan.
See full profiles: Cabrales Cheese and Provolone Cheese.