Parmesan Cheese vs Provolone Cheese

Parmesan Cheese is a hard, artisan cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan 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 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 Parmesan Cheese and Provolone Cheese?

• Texture: Parmesan Cheese (hard, artisan), Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan)
• Aging: Parmesan Cheese (minimum 12 months, average 2 years), Provolone Cheese (at least 4 months for piccante)
• Taste: Parmesan Cheese (salty, savory), Provolone Cheese (tangy)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Parmesan Cheese Taste Like Provolone Cheese?

Parmesan Cheese reads as salty, savory, while Provolone Cheese brings tangy character. On the nose, Parmesan Cheese offers nutty, strong, contrasted with Provolone Cheese's pleasant. Aging plays into this as well. Parmesan Cheese at minimum 12 months, average 2 years develops a different profile than Provolone Cheese at at least 4 months for piccante.

Can You Substitute Parmesan Cheese for Provolone Cheese?

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

Which Is Better, Parmesan Cheese or Provolone Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard, artisan cheese, go with Parmesan Cheese. For a semi-hard, artisan profile, Provolone Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Parmesan Cheese suits recipes that want salty, savory notes, while Provolone Cheese fits dishes calling for tangy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Parmesan Cheese the same as Provolone Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Parmesan Cheese is typically aged minimum 12 months, average 2 years, Provolone Cheese at least 4 months for piccante.

Is Parmesan Cheese similar to Provolone Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Parmesan Cheese for Provolone Cheese?

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

Does Parmesan Cheese taste like Provolone Cheese?

Parmesan Cheese reads as salty, savory, while Provolone Cheese is tangy. Aromas also diverge. Parmesan Cheese leans nutty, strong, and Provolone Cheese is closer to pleasant.

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 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, Parmesan Cheese or Provolone Cheese?

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