Monterey Jack Cheese vs Provolone del Monaco Cheese
Monterey Jack Cheese
Provolone del Monaco Cheese
Monterey Jack Cheese is a semi-hard cow-milk cheese from United States, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese is semi-hard and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
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What Is Monterey Jack Cheese?
Monterey Jack is a white, semi-hard cow's milk cheese from Monterey, California, with a mild and slightly sweet flavor. It melts cleanly, which is why it shows up in quesadillas, burritos, grilled cheese, and cheeseburgers.
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 Monterey Jack Cheese and Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
- Origin: Monterey Jack Cheese (United States), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Italy)
- Milk treatment: Monterey Jack Cheese (pasteurized), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Raw)
- Aging: Monterey Jack Cheese (Six weeks to ten months), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (At least 6 months)
- Taste: Monterey Jack Cheese (Mild to full-flavored), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Monterey Jack Cheese | Provolone del Monaco Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | United States | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Monterey County, California | Municipalities In The Metropolitan City Of Naples |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Semi-hard | Semi-hard |
| Rind | — | Thin and smooth pale-yellow |
| Aging | Six weeks to ten months | At least 6 months |
| Taste | Mild to full-flavored | Sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste |
Taste Comparison: Does Monterey Jack Cheese Taste Like Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
Monterey Jack Cheese reads as mild to full-flavored, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese brings sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste character. On the nose, Monterey Jack Cheese offers aromatic, contrasted with Provolone del Monaco Cheese's sweet and buttery. Aging plays into this as well. Monterey Jack Cheese at six weeks to ten months develops a different profile than Provolone del Monaco Cheese at at least 6 months.
Can You Substitute Monterey Jack Cheese for Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
In most recipes, Monterey Jack Cheese and Provolone del Monaco Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Flavor-wise, Monterey Jack Cheese reads as mild to full-flavored while Provolone del Monaco Cheese brings sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste notes.
Which Is Better, Monterey Jack Cheese or Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. Flavor-wise, Monterey Jack Cheese suits recipes that want mild to full-flavored 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 Monterey Jack Cheese the same as Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Monterey Jack Cheese originates in United States, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese comes from Italy. Aging also differs: Monterey Jack Cheese is typically aged six weeks to ten months, Provolone del Monaco Cheese at least 6 months.
Is Monterey Jack Cheese similar to Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
Yes, they share close profiles. Same milk base and similar texture make them workable alternatives in many recipes.
Can I substitute Monterey Jack Cheese for Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
Yes, quite easily. The milk base and texture are close enough that most recipes won't notice the swap.
Does Monterey Jack Cheese taste like Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
Monterey Jack Cheese reads as mild to full-flavored, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese is sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste. Aromas also diverge. Monterey Jack Cheese leans aromatic, and Provolone del Monaco Cheese is closer to sweet and buttery.
What is Monterey Jack Cheese made of?
Monterey Jack Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged six weeks to ten months. It originates in United States.
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, Monterey Jack Cheese or Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.