Pecorino di Filiano Cheese vs 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 firm sheep milk cheese made in the province of Potenza, in Basilicata, southern Italy. It has held protected designation of origin status since 2007, and the village of Filiano celebrates it with a festival each September.

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 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)
• Aging: Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Two to five months, over six months), Provolone Cheese (at least 4 months for piccante)
• Taste: Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Sweet and delicate to strong and savoury), Provolone Cheese (tangy)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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. Aging plays into this as well. Pecorino di Filiano Cheese at two to five months, over six months develops a different profile than Provolone Cheese at at least 4 months for piccante.

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. Aging also differs: Pecorino di Filiano Cheese is typically aged two to five months, over six months, Provolone Cheese at least 4 months for piccante.

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's typically aged at least 4 months for piccante. 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.