Caciottone di Norcia Cheese vs Provolone Cheese
Caciottone di Norcia Cheese is a soft and buttery, becoming firmer closer to the rind cow and sheep-milk cheese, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Caciottone di Norcia Cheese?
Caciottone di Norcia is a cheese from Italy, specifically recognized as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) product. It is cylindrical in shape, with a diameter of 20-22 cm and a heel height of 9-11 cm, weighing approximately
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 Caciottone di Norcia Cheese and Provolone Cheese?
- Milk type: Caciottone di Norcia Cheese (Cow's milk and sheep's milk), Provolone Cheese (cow's milk)
- Texture: Caciottone di Norcia Cheese (Soft and buttery, becoming firmer closer to the rind), Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan)
- Taste: Caciottone di Norcia Cheese (Fragrant and aromatic with a creamy aftertaste), Provolone Cheese (tangy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Caciottone di Norcia Cheese | Provolone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Valnerina Area In The Province Of Perugia, Including The Municipalities Of Norcia, Cascia, Monteleone Di Spoleto, Preci, And Poggiodomo | — |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk and sheep's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | — |
| Texture | Soft and buttery, becoming firmer closer to the rind | Semi-hard, artisan |
| Rind | Thin, smooth, and washed | — |
| Aging | 20 to 365 days, depending on ripening type | — |
| Taste | Fragrant and aromatic with a creamy aftertaste | Tangy |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Caciottone di Norcia Cheese | Provolone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | — | Pastrami, Salami |
| Other Good Pairings | — | Chorizo, Grilled Cheese, Ham, Pinot Grigio, Pulled Pork, Roast Beef, Steak, Tomatoes, Tuna, Turkey |
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Where to buy Caciottone di Norcia Cheese and Provolone Cheese
Caciottone di Norcia Cheese
Provolone Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Caciottone di Norcia Cheese Taste Like Provolone Cheese?
Caciottone di Norcia Cheese reads as fragrant and aromatic with a creamy aftertaste, while Provolone Cheese brings tangy character. On the nose, Caciottone di Norcia Cheese offers milk, warmed milk, and/or melted butter, contrasted with Provolone Cheese's pleasant.
Can You Substitute Caciottone di Norcia Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
Caciottone di Norcia Cheese can stand in for Provolone Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft and buttery, becoming firmer closer to the rind bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard, artisan. Flavor-wise, Caciottone di Norcia Cheese reads as fragrant and aromatic with a creamy aftertaste while Provolone Cheese brings tangy notes.
Which Is Better, Caciottone di Norcia Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft and buttery, becoming firmer closer to the rind cheese, go with Caciottone di Norcia Cheese. For a semi-hard, artisan profile, Provolone Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Caciottone di Norcia Cheese suits recipes that want fragrant and aromatic with a creamy aftertaste notes, while Provolone Cheese fits dishes calling for tangy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Caciottone di Norcia Cheese the same as Provolone Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Caciottone di Norcia Cheese is made from cow and sheep milk; Provolone Cheese uses cow.
Is Caciottone di Norcia Cheese similar to Provolone Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Caciottone di Norcia Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Caciottone di Norcia Cheese taste like Provolone Cheese?
Caciottone di Norcia Cheese reads as fragrant and aromatic with a creamy aftertaste, while Provolone Cheese is tangy. Aromas also diverge. Caciottone di Norcia Cheese leans milk, warmed milk, and/or melted butter, and Provolone Cheese is closer to pleasant.
What is Caciottone di Norcia Cheese made of?
Caciottone di Norcia Cheese is made from cow and sheep milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 20 to 365 days, depending on ripening type.
What is Provolone Cheese made of?
Provolone Cheese is made from cow milk. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Caciottone di Norcia Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Caciottone di Norcia Cheese is soft and buttery, becoming firmer closer to the rind, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan.
See full profiles: Caciottone di Norcia Cheese and Provolone Cheese.