Fontina Val d'Aosta Cheese vs Provolone Cheese
Fontina Val d'Aosta Cheese is a smooth, compact, dense cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Fontina Val d'Aosta Cheese?
Fontina Val d'Aosta is a PDO-protected cheese, specific to the Aosta Valley in Italy. This version of Fontina is aged longer, which develops a stronger, more intense flavor compared to regular Fontina. It has a rich, creamy texture, and a complex flavor profile with notes of butter and roasted nuts. This cheese is often used in traditional Italian dishes requiring melted cheese, such as Valdostana veal.
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 Fontina Val d'Aosta Cheese and Provolone Cheese?
- Texture: Fontina Val d'Aosta Cheese (Smooth, compact, dense), Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan)
- Taste: Fontina Val d'Aosta Cheese (Subtle, complex), Provolone Cheese (tangy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Fontina Val d'Aosta Cheese | Provolone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Valle D'Aosta | — |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | — |
| Texture | Smooth, compact, dense | Semi-hard, artisan |
| Rind | Orange-tinged chestnut brown | — |
| Aging | Minimum of 80 days to 6-9 months | — |
| Taste | Subtle, complex | Tangy |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Fontina Val d'Aosta Cheese | Provolone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | — | Pastrami, Salami |
| Other Good Pairings | — | Chorizo, Grilled Cheese, Ham, Pinot Grigio, Pulled Pork, Roast Beef, Steak, Tomatoes, Tuna, Turkey |
Which would you pick?
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Where to buy Fontina Val d'Aosta Cheese and Provolone Cheese
Fontina Val d'Aosta Cheese
Provolone Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Fontina Val d'Aosta Cheese Taste Like Provolone Cheese?
Fontina Val d'Aosta Cheese reads as subtle, complex, while Provolone Cheese brings tangy character. On the nose, Fontina Val d'Aosta Cheese offers pungent, funky, contrasted with Provolone Cheese's pleasant.
Can You Substitute Fontina Val d'Aosta Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
In most recipes, Fontina Val d'Aosta Cheese and Provolone Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect smooth, compact, dense bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard, artisan. Flavor-wise, Fontina Val d'Aosta Cheese reads as subtle, complex while Provolone Cheese brings tangy notes.
Which Is Better, Fontina Val d'Aosta Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a smooth, compact, dense cheese, go with Fontina Val d'Aosta Cheese. For a semi-hard, artisan profile, Provolone Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Fontina Val d'Aosta Cheese suits recipes that want subtle, complex notes, while Provolone Cheese fits dishes calling for tangy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fontina Val d'Aosta Cheese the same as Provolone Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses.
Is Fontina Val d'Aosta Cheese similar to Provolone Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Fontina Val d'Aosta Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Fontina Val d'Aosta Cheese taste like Provolone Cheese?
Fontina Val d'Aosta Cheese reads as subtle, complex, while Provolone Cheese is tangy. Aromas also diverge. Fontina Val d'Aosta Cheese leans pungent, funky, and Provolone Cheese is closer to pleasant.
What is Fontina Val d'Aosta Cheese made of?
Fontina Val d'Aosta Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged minimum of 80 days to 6-9 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, Fontina Val d'Aosta Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Fontina Val d'Aosta Cheese is smooth, compact, dense, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan.
See full profiles: Fontina Val d'Aosta Cheese and Provolone Cheese.