Parmesan Cheese vs Provolone del Monaco Cheese

Parmesan Cheese is a hard cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese is semi-hard and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

What Is Parmesan Cheese?

Parmesan, or Parmigiano Reggiano, is a hard granular cow's milk cheese from northern Italy, aged at least 12 months. It is known for its sharp, salty, savory taste, which comes from an unusually high level of glutamate.

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 Parmesan Cheese and Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

• Milk treatment: Parmesan Cheese (unpasteurized), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Raw)
• Texture: Parmesan Cheese (Hard), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Semi-hard)
• Rind: Parmesan Cheese (natural), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Thin and smooth pale-yellow)
• Aging: Parmesan Cheese (minimum 12 months, average 2 years), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (At least 6 months)
• Taste: Parmesan Cheese (salty, savory), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Parmesan Cheese reads as salty, savory, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese brings sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste character. On the nose, Parmesan Cheese offers nutty, strong, contrasted with Provolone del Monaco Cheese's sweet and buttery. Aging plays into this as well. Parmesan Cheese at minimum 12 months, average 2 years develops a different profile than Provolone del Monaco Cheese at at least 6 months.

Can You Substitute Parmesan Cheese for Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

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

Which Is Better, Parmesan 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 hard cheese, go with Parmesan Cheese. For a semi-hard profile, Provolone del Monaco Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Parmesan Cheese suits recipes that want salty, savory notes, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Parmesan Cheese the same as Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Parmesan Cheese is typically aged minimum 12 months, average 2 years, Provolone del Monaco Cheese at least 6 months.

Is Parmesan Cheese similar to Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Parmesan Cheese for Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

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

Does Parmesan Cheese taste like Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

Parmesan Cheese reads as salty, savory, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese is sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste. Aromas also diverge. Parmesan Cheese leans nutty, strong, and Provolone del Monaco Cheese is closer to sweet and buttery.

What is Parmesan Cheese made of?

Parmesan Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using animal (calf rennet) rennet. It's typically aged minimum 12 months, average 2 years. 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, Parmesan Cheese or Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Parmesan Cheese is hard, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese is semi-hard.