Jarlsberg Cheese vs Provolone del Monaco Cheese

Q: Is Jarlsberg Cheese the same as Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

No. Jarlsberg Cheese and Provolone del Monaco Cheese are distinct cheeses from Norway and Italy respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Jarlsberg Cheese for Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Jarlsberg Cheese for Provolone del Monaco Cheese, though the result will shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Q: Which should I choose, Jarlsberg Cheese or Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Jarlsberg Cheese is a semihard cow-milk cheese from Norway, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese is compact with eyes and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

What Is Jarlsberg Cheese?

Jarlsberg is a famous Norwegian cheese, known for its distinctive sweet and nutty taste. It is a semi-soft cheese with large, round holes. Jarlsberg is versatile and can be sliced, grilled, or melted. It is often used in sandwiches, as a burger topping, or simply enjoyed on its own.

What Is Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

Provolone del Monaco is a semi-hard cheese from the Sorrentine Peninsula of Italy, made from the milk of local Agerolese cows. Aged for a minimum of six months, it develops a strong, sharp flavor with earthy and nutty undertones. Its name, meaning "Monk's Provolone," refers to the cloak-like cover traditionally used during the aging process.

What's the Difference Between Jarlsberg Cheese and Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

Origin: Jarlsberg Cheese (Norway), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Italy)
Milk treatment: Jarlsberg Cheese (pasteurized), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Raw)
Texture: Jarlsberg Cheese (Semihard), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Compact with eyes)
Rind: Jarlsberg Cheese (Plastic-covered), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Thin and smooth pale-yellow)
Aging: Jarlsberg Cheese (Three months to twelve months), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (At least 6 months)
Taste: Jarlsberg Cheese (Mild, sweet, nutty), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Jarlsberg Cheese	Provolone del Monaco Cheese
Country of Origin	Norway	Italy
Specific Origin	No Specific Location	Municipalities In The Metropolitan City Of Naples
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	Pasteurized	Raw
Texture	Semihard	Compact with eyes
Rind	Plastic-covered	Thin and smooth pale-yellow
Aging	Three months to twelve months	At least 6 months
Taste	Mild, sweet, nutty	Sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste

Taste Comparison: Does Jarlsberg Cheese Taste Like Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

Jarlsberg Cheese reads as mild, sweet, nutty, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese brings sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste character. Aging plays into this as well. Jarlsberg Cheese at three months to twelve months develops a different profile than Provolone del Monaco Cheese at at least 6 months.

Can You Substitute Jarlsberg Cheese for Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

In most recipes, Jarlsberg Cheese and Provolone del Monaco Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect semihard bite and body where the recipe calls for compact with eyes. Flavor-wise, Jarlsberg Cheese reads as mild, sweet, nutty while Provolone del Monaco Cheese brings sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste notes.

Which Is Better, Jarlsberg 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 semihard cheese, go with Jarlsberg Cheese. For a compact with eyes profile, Provolone del Monaco Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Jarlsberg Cheese suits recipes that want mild, sweet, nutty notes, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Jarlsberg Cheese the same as Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Jarlsberg Cheese originates in Norway, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese comes from Italy. Aging also differs: Jarlsberg Cheese is typically aged three months to twelve months, Provolone del Monaco Cheese at least 6 months.

Is Jarlsberg Cheese similar to Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Jarlsberg Cheese for Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Jarlsberg Cheese taste like Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

Jarlsberg Cheese reads as mild, sweet, nutty, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese is sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste.

What is Jarlsberg Cheese made of?

Jarlsberg Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged three months to twelve months. It originates in Norway.

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, Jarlsberg Cheese or Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Jarlsberg Cheese is semihard, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese is compact with eyes.