Montasio Cheese vs Provolone Cheese
Montasio Cheese
Provolone Cheese
Montasio Cheese is a elastic to crumbly and hard cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Montasio Cheese?
Montasio is a mountain cheese from northeastern Italy, with a PDO designation. It has a firm texture and can vary in flavor from mild and milky in younger cheeses to richer and more robust in aged varieties. Montasio is often enjoyed grated over pasta and risotto or sliced in sandwiches.
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 Montasio Cheese and Provolone Cheese?
- Texture: Montasio Cheese (Elastic to crumbly and hard), Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan)
- Taste: Montasio Cheese (Mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice), Provolone Cheese (tangy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Montasio Cheese | Provolone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Fruili-Venezia Giulia And Parts Of Belluno, Treviso, Padua, And Venice In Veneto | — |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | — |
| Texture | Elastic to crumbly and hard | Semi-hard, artisan |
| Aging | Fresco: 60-120 days; Mezzano: 120 days-10 months; Stagionato: 10-18 months; Stravecchio: over 18 months | — |
| Taste | Mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice | Tangy |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Montasio Cheese | Provolone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | — | Pastrami, Salami |
| Other Good Pairings | — | Chorizo, Grilled Cheese, Ham, Pinot Grigio, Pulled Pork, Roast Beef, Steak, Tomatoes, Tuna, Turkey |
Which would you pick?
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Where to buy Montasio Cheese and Provolone Cheese
Montasio Cheese
Provolone Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Montasio Cheese Taste Like Provolone Cheese?
Montasio Cheese reads as mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice, while Provolone Cheese brings tangy character. On the nose, Montasio Cheese offers aromatic, pleasant, contrasted with Provolone Cheese's pleasant.
Can You Substitute Montasio Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
In most recipes, Montasio Cheese and Provolone Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect elastic to crumbly and hard bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard, artisan. Flavor-wise, Montasio Cheese reads as mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice while Provolone Cheese brings tangy notes.
Which Is Better, Montasio Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a elastic to crumbly and hard cheese, go with Montasio Cheese. For a semi-hard, artisan profile, Provolone Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Montasio Cheese suits recipes that want mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice notes, while Provolone Cheese fits dishes calling for tangy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Montasio Cheese the same as Provolone Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses.
Is Montasio Cheese similar to Provolone Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Montasio Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Montasio Cheese taste like Provolone Cheese?
Montasio Cheese reads as mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice, while Provolone Cheese is tangy. Aromas also diverge. Montasio Cheese leans aromatic, pleasant, and Provolone Cheese is closer to pleasant.
What is Montasio Cheese made of?
Montasio Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged fresco: 60-120 days; mezzano: 120 days-10 months; stagionato: 10-18 months; stravecchio: over 18 months. It originates in Italy.
What is Provolone Cheese made of?
Provolone Cheese is made from cow milk. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Montasio Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Montasio Cheese is elastic to crumbly and hard, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan.
See full profiles: Montasio Cheese and Provolone Cheese.