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Feta Cheese vs Provolone Cheese
Feta Cheese
Provolone Cheese
In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Feta Cheese and Provolone Cheese, including:
- "What is the difference between Feta Cheese and Provolone Cheese?"
- "Is Feta Cheese and Provolone Cheese the same?"
- "How does Feta Cheese compare to Provolone Cheese cheese?"
- "How does the taste of Feta Cheese compare to Provolone Cheese?"
- "Is Feta Cheese or Provolone Cheese better?"
Feta Cheese Overview
Feta is a brined curd white cheese from Greece, made traditionally from sheep's milk, or from a mixture of sheep and goat's milk. It is crumbly with a slightly grainy texture and has a salty, tangy flavor. Feta is commonly used in salads, pastries, and as a table cheese, and is central to Greek cuisine.
Provolone Cheese Overview
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.
Comparing the Two Cheeses
Country of Origin
Feta Cheese comes from Greece. Provolone Cheese originated from Italy.
Certification
Many cheeses have some kind of protected status that makes it so they can only be produced in a certain manner and location. Feta Cheese has a PDO (2002). Provolone is not a protected cheese.
Milk Type and Treatment
Feta Cheese is made with goat and sheep milk that is typically raw or pasteurized. Provolone Cheese is made with cow milk.
Composition and Texture
Feta Cheese has a moisture content of high. Feta's texture can be described as "soft, white, aged in brine". Provolone's texture can be described as "semi-hard, artisan".
Taste and Aroma
Feta Cheese has a sharp to mild taste. Feta's aroma can be described as "nutty, strong". Provolone Cheese has a tangy taste. Provolone's aroma can be described as "pleasant".
Appearance and Aging
Feta Cheese's appearance is colored white , is available in blocks submerged in brine, barrels and is aged 2 months to longer . Provolone Cheese has a color of pale yellow .
Rind and Rennet Type
Feta Cheese's rind is described as none .
Ranking
Feta is ranked #34 out of 996 types based on community views. Provolone is ranked #5 out of 996 types based on community views.
Pairing Comparison
| Feta | Provolone | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Albariño, Asparagus, Avocado, Cod, Dirty Martini, Green Tea, Kiwi, Kolsch, Kombucha, Mangoes, Muscat, Pesto, Pinot Grigio, Pistachios, Pumpkin, Riesling, Roasted Vegetables, Salmon, Sauvignon Blanc, Seaweed, Shrimp, Sweet Potato, Tomatoes | Pastrami, Salami |
| Other Good Pairings | Beaujolais, Cabernet Franc, California Viogniers, Chicken, Dried Cranberries, Fruit Compote, Gamay, German Riesling, Grüner Veltliner, Muscat, Pinot Gris, Prosecco, Raspberry, Sparkling Rosé, Strawberries, Tacos, Tequila, Tuna, Viognier | Chorizo, Grilled Cheese, Ham, Pinot Grigio, Pulled Pork, Roast Beef, Steak, Tomatoes, Tuna, Turkey |
For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Feta and Provolone pages.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Feta Cheese | Provolone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Greece | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Throughout Greece | Not Specified |
| Certification | PDO (2002) | Not Specified |
| Milk Type | Goat's and sheep's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized, sometimes raw | Not Specified |
| Moisture Content | High | Not Specified |
| Rind | None | Not Specified |
| Texture | Soft, white, aged in brine | Semi-hard, artisan |
| Taste | Sharp to mild | Tangy |
| Aroma | Nutty, strong | Pleasant |
| Colors | White | Pale yellow |
| Forms | Blocks submerged in brine, barrels | Not Specified |
| Age | 2 months to longer | Not Specified |
Which One Should You Choose?
If you prefer a soft, white, aged in brine cheese, go for Feta. But if you enjoy a semi-hard, artisan consistency, Provolone might be the better pick. Feta has a sharp to mild taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Provolone offers a tangy profile, ideal for different meals.
