Mascarpone Cheese vs Provolone del Monaco Cheese
Mascarpone Cheese is a soft, spreadable cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese is compact with eyes and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Mascarpone Cheese?
Mascarpone is a soft Italian dairy product made by coagulating cream with acid and heat, without rennet and without aging. Milky white and easy to spread, it is best known as the base of tiramisu.
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 Mascarpone Cheese and Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Mascarpone Cheese (Heated), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Raw)
- Texture: Mascarpone Cheese (Soft, spreadable), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Compact with eyes)
- Rind: Mascarpone Cheese (rindless), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Thin and smooth pale-yellow)
- Aging: Mascarpone Cheese (not aged), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (At least 6 months)
- Taste: Mascarpone Cheese (Buttery to slightly tangy), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Mascarpone Cheese | Provolone del Monaco Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Lombardy | Municipalities In The Metropolitan City Of Naples |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Heated | Raw |
| Texture | Soft, spreadable | Compact with eyes |
| Rind | Rindless | Thin and smooth pale-yellow |
| Aging | Not aged | At least 6 months |
| Taste | Buttery to slightly tangy | Sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste |
Taste Comparison: Does Mascarpone Cheese Taste Like Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
Mascarpone Cheese reads as buttery to slightly tangy, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese brings sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste character. On the nose, Mascarpone Cheese offers fresh, contrasted with Provolone del Monaco Cheese's sweet and buttery. Aging plays into this as well. Mascarpone Cheese at not aged develops a different profile than Provolone del Monaco Cheese at at least 6 months.
Can You Substitute Mascarpone Cheese for Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
In most recipes, Mascarpone Cheese and Provolone del Monaco Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect soft, spreadable bite and body where the recipe calls for compact with eyes. Flavor-wise, Mascarpone Cheese reads as buttery to slightly tangy while Provolone del Monaco Cheese brings sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste notes.
Which Is Better, Mascarpone 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 soft, spreadable cheese, go with Mascarpone Cheese. For a compact with eyes profile, Provolone del Monaco Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Mascarpone Cheese suits recipes that want buttery to slightly tangy 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 Mascarpone Cheese the same as Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Mascarpone Cheese is typically aged not aged, Provolone del Monaco Cheese at least 6 months.
Is Mascarpone Cheese similar to Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Mascarpone Cheese for Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Mascarpone Cheese taste like Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
Mascarpone Cheese reads as buttery to slightly tangy, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese is sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste. Aromas also diverge. Mascarpone Cheese leans fresh, and Provolone del Monaco Cheese is closer to sweet and buttery.
What is Mascarpone Cheese made of?
Mascarpone Cheese is made from cow milk (heated), using none rennet. It's typically aged not aged. It originates in Italy.
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, Mascarpone Cheese or Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Mascarpone Cheese is soft, spreadable, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese is compact with eyes.