Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese vs Provolone Cheese
Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese is a granular or crumbly to clammy cow-milk cheese, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese?
Ennstaler Steirerkas is a traditional cheese from Austria, specifically from the district of Liezen in the north-western part of Styria. It is a sour milk cheese made from raw or pasteurized skimmed cow's milk. The cheese is formed into a truncated cone weighing up to 4 kg and is made without rennet, using only acid coagulation. It is known for its crumbly texture and distinctive aroma, with a sour, strong, and piquant flavor. The cheese matures over at least three weeks, developing a dry, brownish or greyish surface with a layer of green or white mold. The interior is marbled, pale brown to brown-grey, with a granular or crumbly texture. The cheese is influenced by the local alpine flora, which contributes to its unique flavor and aroma.
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 Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese and Provolone Cheese?
- Texture: Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese (Granular or crumbly to clammy), Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan)
- Aging: Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese (At least three weeks), Provolone Cheese (at least 4 months for piccante)
- Taste: Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese (Sour, strong, piquant, spicy to sharp), Provolone Cheese (tangy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese | Provolone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | Italy |
| Specific Origin | District Of Liezen, North-Western Part Of Styria | Campania, Italy |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw or pasteurized skimmed milk | — |
| Texture | Granular or crumbly to clammy | Semi-hard, artisan |
| Rind | Dry, brownish or greyish, covered with green or white mold | — |
| Aging | At least three weeks | At least 4 months for piccante |
| Taste | Sour, strong, piquant, spicy to sharp | Tangy |
Taste Comparison: Does Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese Taste Like Provolone Cheese?
Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese reads as sour, strong, piquant, spicy to sharp, while Provolone Cheese brings tangy character. On the nose, Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese offers robust and spicy, with an earthy odor and mild ammonia note, contrasted with Provolone Cheese's pleasant. Aging plays into this as well. Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese at at least three weeks develops a different profile than Provolone Cheese at at least 4 months for piccante.
Can You Substitute Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
In most recipes, Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese and Provolone Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect granular or crumbly to clammy bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard, artisan. Flavor-wise, Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese reads as sour, strong, piquant, spicy to sharp while Provolone Cheese brings tangy notes.
Which Is Better, Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a granular or crumbly to clammy cheese, go with Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese. For a semi-hard, artisan profile, Provolone Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese suits recipes that want sour, strong, piquant, spicy to sharp notes, while Provolone Cheese fits dishes calling for tangy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese the same as Provolone Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese is typically aged at least three weeks, Provolone Cheese at least 4 months for piccante.
Is Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese similar to Provolone Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese taste like Provolone Cheese?
Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese reads as sour, strong, piquant, spicy to sharp, while Provolone Cheese is tangy. Aromas also diverge. Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese leans robust and spicy, with an earthy odor and mild ammonia note, and Provolone Cheese is closer to pleasant.
What is Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese made of?
Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese is made from cow milk (raw or pasteurized skimmed milk), using not used rennet. It's typically aged at least three weeks.
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, Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Ennstaler Steirerkas Cheese is granular or crumbly to clammy, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan.