Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese vs Provolone del Monaco Cheese
Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese is a grainy, flaky cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese is compact with eyes and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?
Parmigiano Reggiano is a hard, granular Italian cheese made from unpasteurised cow's milk and aged at least 12 months. Protected as a PDO across Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena and parts of Bologna and Mantua, it is known for its sharp, salty, deeply savoury taste.
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 Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese and Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
- Texture: Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (Grainy, flaky), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Compact with eyes)
- Rind: Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (Hard), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Thin and smooth pale-yellow)
- Aging: Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (12 to 36 months), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (At least 6 months)
- Taste: Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (Umami), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese | Provolone del Monaco Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Emilia-Romagna Region | Municipalities In The Metropolitan City Of Naples |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Raw |
| Texture | Grainy, flaky | Compact with eyes |
| Rind | Hard | Thin and smooth pale-yellow |
| Aging | 12 to 36 months | At least 6 months |
| Taste | Umami | Sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste |
Taste Comparison: Does Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Taste Like Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese reads as umami, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese brings sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste character. On the nose, Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese offers mild, milky, contrasted with Provolone del Monaco Cheese's sweet and buttery. Aging plays into this as well. Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese at 12 to 36 months develops a different profile than Provolone del Monaco Cheese at at least 6 months.
Can You Substitute Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese for Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
In most recipes, Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese and Provolone del Monaco Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect grainy, flaky bite and body where the recipe calls for compact with eyes. Flavor-wise, Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese reads as umami while Provolone del Monaco Cheese brings sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste notes.
Which Is Better, Parmigiano Reggiano 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 grainy, flaky cheese, go with Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese. For a compact with eyes profile, Provolone del Monaco Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese suits recipes that want umami 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 Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese the same as Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese is typically aged 12 to 36 months, Provolone del Monaco Cheese at least 6 months.
Is Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese similar to Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese for Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese taste like Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese reads as umami, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese is sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste. Aromas also diverge. Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese leans mild, milky, and Provolone del Monaco Cheese is closer to sweet and buttery.
What is Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese made of?
Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using calf rennet. It's typically aged 12 to 36 months. 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, Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese or Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese is grainy, flaky, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese is compact with eyes.