Cream Cheese vs Provolone Cheese
Cream Cheese
Provolone Cheese
Cream Cheese is a fresh soft, processed cow-milk cheese from United States, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Cream Cheese?
Cream cheese is a soft, mild fresh cheese made from milk and cream, sold unripened rather than aged. It began in Chester, New York in the 1870s and is best known as the spread on a bagel.
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 Cream Cheese and Provolone Cheese?
- Origin: Cream Cheese (United States), Provolone Cheese (Italy)
- Texture: Cream Cheese (fresh soft, processed), Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan)
- Aging: Cream Cheese (unripened, eaten fresh), Provolone Cheese (at least 4 months for piccante)
- Taste: Cream Cheese (creamy, mild, sweet), Provolone Cheese (tangy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cream Cheese | Provolone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | United States | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Chester, New York, The U.S. | Campania, Italy |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or unpasteurized | — |
| Texture | Fresh soft, processed | Semi-hard, artisan |
| Rind | Rindless | — |
| Aging | Unripened, eaten fresh | At least 4 months for piccante |
| Taste | Creamy, mild, sweet | Tangy |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese: wines, foods, breads and more.
| Cream Cheese | Provolone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Pairs well with | Ginger, Salmon, Seaweed, Shrimp, Cod, Green Tea | Pastrami, Salami, Chorizo, Grilled Cheese, Ham, Pinot Grigio, Pulled Pork, Roast Beef, Steak, Tomatoes, Tuna, Turkey |
Taste Comparison: Does Cream Cheese Taste Like Provolone Cheese?
Cream Cheese reads as creamy, mild, sweet, while Provolone Cheese brings tangy character. On the nose, Cream Cheese offers fresh, pleasant, contrasted with Provolone Cheese's pleasant. Aging plays into this as well. Cream Cheese at unripened, eaten fresh develops a different profile than Provolone Cheese at at least 4 months for piccante.
Can You Substitute Cream Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
In most recipes, Cream Cheese and Provolone Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect fresh soft, processed bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard, artisan. Flavor-wise, Cream Cheese reads as creamy, mild, sweet while Provolone Cheese brings tangy notes.
Which Is Better, Cream Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a fresh soft, processed cheese, go with Cream Cheese. For a semi-hard, artisan profile, Provolone Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cream Cheese suits recipes that want creamy, mild, sweet notes, while Provolone Cheese fits dishes calling for tangy.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cream Cheese the same as Provolone Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Cream Cheese originates in United States, while Provolone Cheese comes from Italy. Aging also differs: Cream Cheese is typically aged unripened, eaten fresh, Provolone Cheese at least 4 months for piccante.
Is Cream Cheese similar to Provolone Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Cream Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Cream Cheese taste like Provolone Cheese?
Cream Cheese reads as creamy, mild, sweet, while Provolone Cheese is tangy. Aromas also diverge. Cream Cheese leans fresh, pleasant, and Provolone Cheese is closer to pleasant.
What is Cream Cheese made of?
Cream Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized), using animal (chymosin, pepsin, rennet) in canada rennet. It's typically aged unripened, eaten fresh. It originates in United States.
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, Cream Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cream Cheese is fresh soft, processed, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan.