Gouda Cheese vs Provolone del Monaco Cheese
Gouda Cheese
Provolone del Monaco Cheese
Gouda Cheese is a solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged cow-milk cheese from Netherlands, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese is compact with eyes and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
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What Is Gouda Cheese?
Gouda is a yellow cow's milk cheese from the Netherlands, named after the city of Gouda in South Holland. It runs from young and elastic to old and hard, picking up a caramel sweetness and small crunchy crystals with age.
What Is Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
Provolone del Monaco is an Italian cheese made from the milk of the Agerolese cow in the hills behind Naples. It is named for the heavy cloaks its makers wore when they landed at the port of Naples, and it has held PDO status since 2010.
What's the Difference Between Gouda Cheese and Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
- Origin: Gouda Cheese (Netherlands), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Italy)
- Milk treatment: Gouda Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Raw)
- Texture: Gouda Cheese (solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Compact with eyes)
- Rind: Gouda Cheese (Durable), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Thin and smooth pale-yellow)
- Aging: Gouda Cheese (4 weeks to 21 months), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (At least 6 months)
- Taste: Gouda Cheese (Sweet to nutty), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Gouda Cheese | Provolone del Monaco Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Netherlands | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Southern Holland | Municipalities In The Metropolitan City Of Naples |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or unpasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged | Compact with eyes |
| Rind | Durable | Thin and smooth pale-yellow |
| Aging | 4 weeks to 21 months | At least 6 months |
| Taste | Sweet to nutty | Sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste |
Taste Comparison: Does Gouda Cheese Taste Like Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese brings sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste character. On the nose, Gouda Cheese offers sour aromatics with a cooked, milky note, contrasted with Provolone del Monaco Cheese's sweet and buttery. Aging plays into this as well. Gouda Cheese at 4 weeks to 21 months develops a different profile than Provolone del Monaco Cheese at at least 6 months.
Can You Substitute Gouda Cheese for Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
In most recipes, Gouda Cheese and Provolone del Monaco Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged bite and body where the recipe calls for compact with eyes. Flavor-wise, Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty while Provolone del Monaco Cheese brings sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste notes.
Which Is Better, Gouda Cheese or Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged cheese, go with Gouda Cheese. For a compact with eyes profile, Provolone del Monaco Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Gouda Cheese suits recipes that want sweet to nutty notes, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gouda Cheese the same as Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Gouda Cheese originates in Netherlands, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese comes from Italy. Aging also differs: Gouda Cheese is typically aged 4 weeks to 21 months, Provolone del Monaco Cheese at least 6 months.
Is Gouda Cheese similar to Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Gouda Cheese for Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Gouda Cheese taste like Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese is sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste. Aromas also diverge. Gouda Cheese leans sour aromatics with a cooked, milky note, and Provolone del Monaco Cheese is closer to sweet and buttery.
What is Gouda Cheese made of?
Gouda Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized). It's typically aged 4 weeks to 21 months. It originates in Netherlands.
What is Provolone del Monaco Cheese made of?
Provolone del Monaco Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using kid rennet paste or calf liquid rennet or a combination of both rennet. It's typically aged at least 6 months. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Gouda Cheese or Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Gouda Cheese is solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese is compact with eyes.