Caciocavallo Cheese vs Provolone Cheese
Caciocavallo Cheese
Provolone Cheese
Caciocavallo Cheese is a firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Caciocavallo Cheese?
Caciocavallo is a traditional Italian cheese made primarily from cow's milk, although some versions use sheep's milk. It has a distinctive teardrop shape and a smooth, golden rind. This semi-hard cheese is aged for two to six months and has a mild, slightly tangy flavor that becomes more pronounced with age.
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 Caciocavallo Cheese and Provolone Cheese?
- Texture: Caciocavallo Cheese (Firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly), Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan)
- Taste: Caciocavallo Cheese (Slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex), Provolone Cheese (tangy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Caciocavallo Cheese | Provolone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Apennine Mountain Range | — |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Texture | Firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly | Semi-hard, artisan |
| Rind | Smooth, thickens with age | — |
| Aging | 2 to 12 months, up to 5 years | — |
| Taste | Slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex | Tangy |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Caciocavallo 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?
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Where to buy Caciocavallo Cheese and Provolone Cheese
Caciocavallo Cheese
Provolone Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Caciocavallo Cheese Taste Like Provolone Cheese?
Caciocavallo Cheese reads as slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex, while Provolone Cheese brings tangy character. On the nose, Caciocavallo Cheese offers earthy, contrasted with Provolone Cheese's pleasant.
Can You Substitute Caciocavallo Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
In most recipes, Caciocavallo Cheese and Provolone Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard, artisan. Flavor-wise, Caciocavallo Cheese reads as slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex while Provolone Cheese brings tangy notes.
Which Is Better, Caciocavallo Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly cheese, go with Caciocavallo Cheese. For a semi-hard, artisan profile, Provolone Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Caciocavallo Cheese suits recipes that want slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex notes, while Provolone Cheese fits dishes calling for tangy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Caciocavallo Cheese the same as Provolone Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses.
Is Caciocavallo Cheese similar to Provolone Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Caciocavallo Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Caciocavallo Cheese taste like Provolone Cheese?
Caciocavallo Cheese reads as slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex, while Provolone Cheese is tangy. Aromas also diverge. Caciocavallo Cheese leans earthy, and Provolone Cheese is closer to pleasant.
What is Caciocavallo Cheese made of?
Caciocavallo Cheese is made from cow milk. It's typically aged 2 to 12 months, up to 5 years. It originates in Italy.
What is Provolone Cheese made of?
Provolone Cheese is made from cow milk. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Caciocavallo Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Caciocavallo Cheese is firm to semihard, chewy to crumbly, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan.
See full profiles: Caciocavallo Cheese and Provolone Cheese.