Canestrato Pugliese Cheese vs Provolone Cheese
Canestrato Pugliese Cheese is a compact, friable sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Canestrato Pugliese Cheese?
Canestrato Pugliese is a hard cheese from the province of Foggia in Puglia and holds PDO status. It belongs to the Canestrato family, a group of southern Italian hard cheeses made from a mixture of sheep and goat milk.
What Is Provolone Cheese?
Provolone is an Italian semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk with a stretched curd. It runs from the very sharp piccante, aged at least four months, to the mild dolce.
What's the Difference Between Canestrato Pugliese Cheese and Provolone Cheese?
- Milk type: Canestrato Pugliese Cheese (Ewe's Milk), Provolone Cheese (cow's milk)
- Texture: Canestrato Pugliese Cheese (Compact, friable), Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan)
- Aging: Canestrato Pugliese Cheese (2 to 10 months), Provolone Cheese (at least 4 months for piccante)
- Taste: Canestrato Pugliese Cheese (Spicy), Provolone Cheese (tangy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Canestrato Pugliese Cheese | Provolone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Province Of Foggia, Some Municipalities Of Bari, Apulia | Campania, Italy |
| Milk Type | Ewe's Milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw, whole | — |
| Texture | Compact, friable | Semi-hard, artisan |
| Rind | Brownish-yellow, wrinkled | — |
| Aging | 2 to 10 months | At least 4 months for piccante |
| Taste | Spicy | Tangy |
Taste Comparison: Does Canestrato Pugliese Cheese Taste Like Provolone Cheese?
Canestrato Pugliese Cheese reads as spicy, while Provolone Cheese brings tangy character. Aging plays into this as well. Canestrato Pugliese Cheese at 2 to 10 months develops a different profile than Provolone Cheese at at least 4 months for piccante.
Can You Substitute Canestrato Pugliese Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
Canestrato Pugliese Cheese can stand in for Provolone Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect compact, friable bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard, artisan. Flavor-wise, Canestrato Pugliese Cheese reads as spicy while Provolone Cheese brings tangy notes.
Which Is Better, Canestrato Pugliese Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a compact, friable cheese, go with Canestrato Pugliese Cheese. For a semi-hard, artisan profile, Provolone Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Canestrato Pugliese Cheese suits recipes that want spicy notes, while Provolone Cheese fits dishes calling for tangy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Canestrato Pugliese Cheese the same as Provolone Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Canestrato Pugliese Cheese is made from sheep milk; Provolone Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Canestrato Pugliese Cheese is typically aged 2 to 10 months, Provolone Cheese at least 4 months for piccante.
Is Canestrato Pugliese Cheese similar to Provolone Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Canestrato Pugliese Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Canestrato Pugliese Cheese taste like Provolone Cheese?
Canestrato Pugliese Cheese reads as spicy, while Provolone Cheese is tangy.
What is Canestrato Pugliese Cheese made of?
Canestrato Pugliese Cheese is made from sheep milk (raw, whole), using lamb rennet. It's typically aged 2 to 10 months. It originates in Italy.
What is Provolone Cheese made of?
Provolone Cheese is made from cow milk. It's typically aged at least 4 months for piccante. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Canestrato Pugliese Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Canestrato Pugliese Cheese is compact, friable, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan.