Formaggio di capra Cheese vs Provolone Cheese
Formaggio di capra Cheese is a soft when fresh, dry and brittle when well aged goat-milk cheese from Italy, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Formaggio di capra Cheese?
Formaggio di capra is a cheese made by transforming goat's milk. It is sold fresh or ripened, sometimes rolled in ash, and it carries the tangy, goaty taste that comes from the fatty acids in goat milk.
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 Formaggio di capra Cheese and Provolone Cheese?
- Milk type: Formaggio di capra Cheese (goat's milk), Provolone Cheese (cow's milk)
- Texture: Formaggio di capra Cheese (soft when fresh, dry and brittle when well aged), Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Formaggio di capra Cheese | Provolone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Specific Origin | — | Campania, Italy |
| Milk Type | Goat's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | — |
| Texture | Soft when fresh, dry and brittle when well aged | Semi-hard, artisan |
| Rind | Sometimes ash-coated | — |
| Aging | — | At least 4 months for piccante |
| Taste | Tangy | Tangy |
Taste Comparison: Does Formaggio di capra Cheese Taste Like Provolone Cheese?
Formaggio di capra Cheese reads as tangy, while Provolone Cheese brings tangy character. On the nose, Formaggio di capra Cheese offers goaty, contrasted with Provolone Cheese's pleasant.
Can You Substitute Formaggio di capra Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
Formaggio di capra Cheese can stand in for Provolone Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft when fresh, dry and brittle when well aged bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard, artisan.
Which Is Better, Formaggio di capra Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft when fresh, dry and brittle when well aged cheese, go with Formaggio di capra Cheese. For a semi-hard, artisan profile, Provolone Cheese is the better fit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Formaggio di capra Cheese the same as Provolone Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Formaggio di capra Cheese is made from goat milk; Provolone Cheese uses cow.
Is Formaggio di capra Cheese similar to Provolone Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Formaggio di capra Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Formaggio di capra Cheese taste like Provolone Cheese?
Formaggio di capra Cheese reads as tangy, while Provolone Cheese is tangy. Aromas also diverge. Formaggio di capra Cheese leans goaty, and Provolone Cheese is closer to pleasant.
What is Formaggio di capra Cheese made of?
Formaggio di capra Cheese is made from goat milk (raw), using animal rennet. It originates in Italy.
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, Formaggio di capra Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Formaggio di capra Cheese is soft when fresh, dry and brittle when well aged, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan.