Piave Mezzano Cheese vs Provolone Cheese
Piave Mezzano Cheese is a hard, artisan cow-milk cheese, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Piave Mezzano Cheese?
Piave Mezzano is a hard cheese from the Veneto region of Italy, crafted from pasteurized cow's milk. It has a pale yellow color and features a natural rind. The cheese is known for its full-flavored, salty, and sharp taste, which is also strong, making it a flavorful addition to various dishes. Its aroma is milky and pleasant, inviting cheese enthusiasts to enjoy its rich characteristics. Piave Mezzano's texture is firm, making it suitable for grating or slicing. This artisan cheese is a staple in Italian cuisine and pairs well with robust wines.
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 Piave Mezzano Cheese and Provolone Cheese?
- Texture: Piave Mezzano Cheese (hard, artisan), Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan)
- Taste: Piave Mezzano Cheese (full-flavored, salty, sharp, strong), Provolone Cheese (tangy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Piave Mezzano Cheese | Provolone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Veneto | — |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | — |
| Texture | Hard, artisan | Semi-hard, artisan |
| Rind | Natural | — |
| Taste | Full-flavored, salty, sharp, strong | Tangy |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Piave Mezzano 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 Piave Mezzano Cheese and Provolone Cheese
Piave Mezzano Cheese
Provolone Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Piave Mezzano Cheese Taste Like Provolone Cheese?
Piave Mezzano Cheese reads as full-flavored, salty, sharp, strong, while Provolone Cheese brings tangy character. On the nose, Piave Mezzano Cheese offers milky, pleasant, contrasted with Provolone Cheese's pleasant.
Can You Substitute Piave Mezzano Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
In most recipes, Piave Mezzano 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, Piave Mezzano Cheese reads as full-flavored, salty, sharp, strong while Provolone Cheese brings tangy notes.
Which Is Better, Piave Mezzano 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 Piave Mezzano Cheese. For a semi-hard, artisan profile, Provolone Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Piave Mezzano Cheese suits recipes that want full-flavored, salty, sharp, strong notes, while Provolone Cheese fits dishes calling for tangy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Piave Mezzano Cheese the same as Provolone Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses.
Is Piave Mezzano Cheese similar to Provolone Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Piave Mezzano Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Piave Mezzano Cheese taste like Provolone Cheese?
Piave Mezzano Cheese reads as full-flavored, salty, sharp, strong, while Provolone Cheese is tangy. Aromas also diverge. Piave Mezzano Cheese leans milky, pleasant, and Provolone Cheese is closer to pleasant.
What is Piave Mezzano Cheese made of?
Piave Mezzano Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized).
What is Provolone Cheese made of?
Provolone Cheese is made from cow milk. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Piave Mezzano Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Piave Mezzano Cheese is hard, artisan, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan.
See full profiles: Piave Mezzano Cheese and Provolone Cheese.