Fontina Cheese vs Provolone Cheese
Fontina Cheese
Provolone Cheese
Fontina Cheese is a semi-soft cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Fontina Cheese?
Fontina is a classic Italian cheese from the Aosta Valley, with a dense, smooth texture and a nutty, earthy flavor. It is made from cow's milk and has a slightly elastic feel. Fontina is excellent for melting and is often used in dishes like risotto, fonduta, and as a table cheese.
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 Cheese and Provolone Cheese?
- Texture: Fontina Cheese (Semi-Soft), Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan)
- Taste: Fontina Cheese (Mild, Buttery, Nutty), Provolone Cheese (tangy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Fontina Cheese | Provolone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw (for traditional Italian Fontina), Pasteurized (for most American versions) | — |
| Texture | Semi-Soft | Semi-hard, artisan |
| Rind | Natural, Often Washed | — |
| Aging | Typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor) | — |
| Taste | Mild, Buttery, Nutty | Tangy |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Fontina Cheese | Provolone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Chardonnay | Pastrami, Salami |
| Other Good Pairings | Grilled Cheese, Macaroni and Cheese, Mushrooms, Prosciutto, Sangiovese | 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 Cheese and Provolone Cheese
Fontina Cheese
Provolone Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Fontina Cheese Taste Like Provolone Cheese?
Fontina Cheese reads as mild, buttery, nutty, while Provolone Cheese brings tangy character. On the nose, Fontina Cheese offers mild to pungent (earthier in aged versions), contrasted with Provolone Cheese's pleasant.
Can You Substitute Fontina Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
In most recipes, Fontina Cheese and Provolone Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect semi-soft bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard, artisan. Flavor-wise, Fontina Cheese reads as mild, buttery, nutty while Provolone Cheese brings tangy notes.
Which Is Better, Fontina Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-soft cheese, go with Fontina Cheese. For a semi-hard, artisan profile, Provolone Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Fontina Cheese suits recipes that want mild, buttery, nutty notes, while Provolone Cheese fits dishes calling for tangy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fontina Cheese the same as Provolone Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses.
Is Fontina Cheese similar to Provolone Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Fontina Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Fontina Cheese taste like Provolone Cheese?
Fontina Cheese reads as mild, buttery, nutty, while Provolone Cheese is tangy. Aromas also diverge. Fontina Cheese leans mild to pungent (earthier in aged versions), and Provolone Cheese is closer to pleasant.
What is Fontina Cheese made of?
Fontina Cheese is made from cow milk (raw (for traditional italian fontina), pasteurized (for most american versions)), using traditional (animal) or microbial (varies by producer) rennet. It's typically aged typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor). 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 Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Fontina Cheese is semi-soft, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan.
See full profiles: Fontina Cheese and Provolone Cheese.