Pecorino di Filiano Cheese vs Provolone Cheese
Pecorino di Filiano Cheese
Provolone Cheese
Pecorino di Filiano Cheese is a hard sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Pecorino di Filiano Cheese?
Pecorino di Filiano is a PDO-certified sheep's milk cheese from Basilicata, Italy. It is aged for several months, developing a hard texture and a complex flavor profile that includes hints of toasted hazelnuts and herbs. The rind is often treated with olive oil or vinegar to enhance its flavor and preservation.
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 Pecorino di Filiano Cheese and Provolone Cheese?
- Milk type: Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Sheep's milk), Provolone Cheese (cow's milk)
- Texture: Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Hard), Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan)
- Taste: Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Sweet and delicate to strong and savoury), Provolone Cheese (tangy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Pecorino di Filiano Cheese | Provolone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Northwest Of The Basilicata Region | — |
| Milk Type | Sheep's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | — |
| Texture | Hard | Semi-hard, artisan |
| Rind | Golden yellow to dark brown | — |
| Aging | Two to five months, over six months | — |
| Taste | Sweet and delicate to strong and savoury | Tangy |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Pecorino di Filiano 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 Pecorino di Filiano Cheese and Provolone Cheese
Pecorino di Filiano Cheese
Provolone Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Pecorino di Filiano Cheese Taste Like Provolone Cheese?
Pecorino di Filiano Cheese reads as sweet and delicate to strong and savoury, while Provolone Cheese brings tangy character.
Can You Substitute Pecorino di Filiano Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
Pecorino di Filiano Cheese can stand in for Provolone Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect hard bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard, artisan. Flavor-wise, Pecorino di Filiano Cheese reads as sweet and delicate to strong and savoury while Provolone Cheese brings tangy notes.
Which Is Better, Pecorino di Filiano Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard cheese, go with Pecorino di Filiano Cheese. For a semi-hard, artisan profile, Provolone Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Pecorino di Filiano Cheese suits recipes that want sweet and delicate to strong and savoury notes, while Provolone Cheese fits dishes calling for tangy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pecorino di Filiano Cheese the same as Provolone Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Pecorino di Filiano Cheese is made from sheep milk; Provolone Cheese uses cow.
Is Pecorino di Filiano Cheese similar to Provolone Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Pecorino di Filiano Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Pecorino di Filiano Cheese taste like Provolone Cheese?
Pecorino di Filiano Cheese reads as sweet and delicate to strong and savoury, while Provolone Cheese is tangy.
What is Pecorino di Filiano Cheese made of?
Pecorino di Filiano Cheese is made from sheep milk (raw), using goat or lamb rennet. It's typically aged two to five months, over six 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, Pecorino di Filiano Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Pecorino di Filiano Cheese is hard, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan.
See full profiles: Pecorino di Filiano Cheese and Provolone Cheese.