Gouda Cheese vs Provolone Cheese
Gouda Cheese
Provolone Cheese
Gouda Cheese is a cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from Netherlands, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Gouda Cheese?
Gouda is a famous Dutch cheese named after the city of Gouda in the Netherlands. It is typically made from cow's milk and aged to develop a rich, caramel-like sweetness with a smooth, firm texture. Young Gouda is mild and creamy, while aged Gouda becomes hard and crumbly with intense flavors.
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 Gouda Cheese and Provolone Cheese?
- Origin: Gouda Cheese (Netherlands), Provolone Cheese (Italy)
- Milk type: Gouda Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk), Provolone Cheese (cow's milk)
- Taste: Gouda Cheese (Sweet to nutty), Provolone Cheese (tangy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Gouda Cheese | Provolone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Netherlands | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Southern Holland | — |
| Milk Type | Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or unpasteurized | — |
| Texture | — | Semi-hard, artisan |
| Rind | Durable | — |
| Taste | Sweet to nutty | Tangy |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Gouda Cheese | Provolone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | — | Pastrami, Salami |
| Other Good Pairings | Hard Cider | Chorizo, Grilled Cheese, Ham, Pinot Grigio, Pulled Pork, Roast Beef, Steak, Tomatoes, Tuna, Turkey |
Which would you pick?
One click, anonymous — see what others chose.
Where to buy Gouda Cheese and Provolone Cheese
Gouda Cheese
Provolone Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Gouda Cheese Taste Like Provolone Cheese?
Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty, while Provolone Cheese brings tangy character.
Can You Substitute Gouda Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
Gouda Cheese can stand in for Provolone Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Flavor-wise, Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty while Provolone Cheese brings tangy notes.
Which Is Better, Gouda Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. Flavor-wise, Gouda Cheese suits recipes that want sweet to nutty notes, while Provolone Cheese fits dishes calling for tangy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gouda Cheese the same as Provolone Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Gouda Cheese originates in Netherlands, while Provolone Cheese comes from Italy. Gouda Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Provolone Cheese uses cow.
Is Gouda Cheese similar to Provolone Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Gouda Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Gouda Cheese taste like Provolone Cheese?
Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty, while Provolone Cheese is tangy.
What is Gouda Cheese made of?
Gouda Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized). It originates in Netherlands.
What is Provolone Cheese made of?
Provolone Cheese is made from cow milk. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Gouda Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.
See full profiles: Gouda Cheese and Provolone Cheese.