Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese vs Provolone Cheese
Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese
Provolone Cheese
Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese is a hard goat or sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese?
Canestrato di Moliterno is an Italian cheese from Basilicata, particularly noted for its firm texture and sharp, piquant flavor. It is made from a mix of sheep's and goat's milk and is aged in wicker baskets, which imprint a distinctive pattern on its rind. This cheese is often grated over pasta and used in traditional Italian dishes.
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 Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese and Provolone Cheese?
- Milk type: Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese (70–90% goat's, 10–30% sheep's), Provolone Cheese (cow's milk)
- Texture: Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese (Hard), Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese | Provolone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Matera And Potenza, Basilicata | — |
| Milk Type | 70–90% goat's, 10–30% sheep's | Cow's milk |
| Texture | Hard | Semi-hard, artisan |
| Rind | Marked by canestri | — |
| Aging | Fresh, Primitivo (≤6 months), Stagionato (6–12 months), Extra (>12 months) | — |
| Taste | — | Tangy |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Canestrato di Moliterno 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 Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese and Provolone Cheese
Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese
Provolone Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese Taste Like Provolone Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese can stand in for Provolone Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect hard bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard, artisan.
Which Is Better, Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard cheese, go with Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese. For a semi-hard, artisan profile, Provolone Cheese is the better fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese the same as Provolone Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk; Provolone Cheese uses cow.
Is Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese similar to Provolone Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese taste like Provolone Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese made of?
Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk. It's typically aged fresh, primitivo (≤6 months), stagionato (6–12 months), extra (>12 months). 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, Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese is hard, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan.
See full profiles: Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese and Provolone Cheese.