Caerphilly Cheese vs Provolone del Monaco Cheese

Caerphilly Cheese is a hard, crumbly cow-milk cheese from United Kingdom and Wales, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese is semi-hard and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

What Is Caerphilly Cheese?

Caerphilly is a white, crumbly cow's milk cheese from the area around the town of Caerphilly in Wales, first made on farms to feed local coal miners. It has a mild taste with a tang of lemon and ripens in as little as two weeks.

What Is Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

Provolone del Monaco is an Italian cheese made from the milk of the Agerolese cow in the hills behind Naples. It is named for the heavy cloaks its makers wore when they landed at the port of Naples, and it has held PDO status since 2010.

What's the Difference Between Caerphilly Cheese and Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

• Origin: Caerphilly Cheese (United Kingdom and Wales), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Italy)
• Milk treatment: Caerphilly Cheese (unpasteurized), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Raw)
• Texture: Caerphilly Cheese (Hard, crumbly), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Semi-hard)
• Rind: Caerphilly Cheese (Mottled gray-white), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Thin and smooth pale-yellow)
• Aging: Caerphilly Cheese (from 2 weeks), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (At least 6 months)
• Taste: Caerphilly Cheese (Earthy, barnyard, lemony), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Caerphilly Cheese Taste Like Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

Caerphilly Cheese reads as earthy, barnyard, lemony, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese brings sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste character. On the nose, Caerphilly Cheese offers fresh, contrasted with Provolone del Monaco Cheese's sweet and buttery. Aging plays into this as well. Caerphilly Cheese at from 2 weeks develops a different profile than Provolone del Monaco Cheese at at least 6 months.

Can You Substitute Caerphilly Cheese for Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

In most recipes, Caerphilly Cheese and Provolone del Monaco Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect hard, crumbly bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard. Flavor-wise, Caerphilly Cheese reads as earthy, barnyard, lemony while Provolone del Monaco Cheese brings sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste notes.

Which Is Better, Caerphilly Cheese or Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard, crumbly cheese, go with Caerphilly Cheese. For a semi-hard profile, Provolone del Monaco Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Caerphilly Cheese suits recipes that want earthy, barnyard, lemony notes, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Caerphilly Cheese the same as Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Caerphilly Cheese originates in United Kingdom and Wales, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese comes from Italy. Aging also differs: Caerphilly Cheese is typically aged from 2 weeks, Provolone del Monaco Cheese at least 6 months.

Is Caerphilly Cheese similar to Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Caerphilly Cheese for Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Caerphilly Cheese taste like Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

Caerphilly Cheese reads as earthy, barnyard, lemony, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese is sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste. Aromas also diverge. Caerphilly Cheese leans fresh, and Provolone del Monaco Cheese is closer to sweet and buttery.

What is Caerphilly Cheese made of?

Caerphilly Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged from 2 weeks. It originates in United Kingdom and Wales.

What is Provolone del Monaco Cheese made of?

Provolone del Monaco Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using kid rennet paste or calf liquid rennet or a combination of both rennet. It's typically aged at least 6 months. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Caerphilly Cheese or Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Caerphilly Cheese is hard, crumbly, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese is semi-hard.