Maredsous Cheese vs Provolone Cheese
Maredsous Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from Belgium, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Maredsous Cheese?
Maredsous is a semi-hard, loaf-shaped cow's milk cheese with a brine-washed orange rind and a pungent aroma. It is known for hand washing every two days and a 22-day cellar maturation.
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 Maredsous Cheese and Provolone Cheese?
- Origin: Maredsous Cheese (Belgium), Provolone Cheese (Italy)
- Texture: Maredsous Cheese (soft), Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan)
- Aging: Maredsous Cheese (22 days), Provolone Cheese (at least 4 months for piccante)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Maredsous Cheese | Provolone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Belgium | Italy |
| Specific Origin | France | Campania, Italy |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Texture | Soft | Semi-hard, artisan |
| Rind | Washed | — |
| Aging | 22 days | At least 4 months for piccante |
| Taste | — | Tangy |
Taste Comparison: Does Maredsous Cheese Taste Like Provolone Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. On the nose, Maredsous Cheese offers pungent, contrasted with Provolone Cheese's pleasant. Aging plays into this as well. Maredsous Cheese at 22 days develops a different profile than Provolone Cheese at at least 4 months for piccante.
Can You Substitute Maredsous Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
In most recipes, Maredsous Cheese and Provolone Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect soft bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard, artisan.
Which Is Better, Maredsous Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft cheese, go with Maredsous Cheese. For a semi-hard, artisan profile, Provolone Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maredsous Cheese the same as Provolone Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Maredsous Cheese originates in Belgium, while Provolone Cheese comes from Italy. Aging also differs: Maredsous Cheese is typically aged 22 days, Provolone Cheese at least 4 months for piccante.
Is Maredsous Cheese similar to Provolone Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Maredsous Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Maredsous Cheese taste like Provolone Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Maredsous Cheese made of?
Maredsous Cheese is made from cow milk. It's typically aged 22 days. It originates in Belgium.
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, Maredsous Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Maredsous Cheese is soft, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan.