Provel Cheese vs Provolone Cheese
Provel Cheese is a soft, processed cow-milk cheese from United States, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Provel Cheese?
Provel is a processed cheese originating from St. Louis, Missouri, in the United States. Made from pasteurized cow's milk, it is characterized by its soft texture, which makes it easy to melt. The cheese has a buttery flavor, accompanied by a smokey aroma, making it a popular choice for topping pizzas and other dishes in its region of origin. Provel is white in color and typically comes with a plastic rind. Its unique combination of flavors and melting properties has made it a staple in St. Louis-style pizza.
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 Provel Cheese and Provolone Cheese?
- Origin: Provel Cheese (United States), Provolone Cheese (Italy)
- Texture: Provel Cheese (soft, processed), Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan)
- Taste: Provel Cheese (buttery), Provolone Cheese (tangy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Provel Cheese | Provolone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | United States | Italy |
| Specific Origin | St. Louis, Missouri | — |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | — |
| Texture | Soft, processed | Semi-hard, artisan |
| Rind | Plastic | — |
| Taste | Buttery | Tangy |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Provel 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 Provel Cheese and Provolone Cheese
Provel Cheese
Provolone Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Provel Cheese Taste Like Provolone Cheese?
Provel Cheese reads as buttery, while Provolone Cheese brings tangy character. On the nose, Provel Cheese offers smokey, contrasted with Provolone Cheese's pleasant.
Can You Substitute Provel Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
In most recipes, Provel Cheese and Provolone Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect soft, processed bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard, artisan. Flavor-wise, Provel Cheese reads as buttery while Provolone Cheese brings tangy notes.
Which Is Better, Provel Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, processed cheese, go with Provel Cheese. For a semi-hard, artisan profile, Provolone Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Provel Cheese suits recipes that want buttery notes, while Provolone Cheese fits dishes calling for tangy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Provel Cheese the same as Provolone Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Provel Cheese originates in United States, while Provolone Cheese comes from Italy.
Is Provel Cheese similar to Provolone Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Provel Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Provel Cheese taste like Provolone Cheese?
Provel Cheese reads as buttery, while Provolone Cheese is tangy. Aromas also diverge. Provel Cheese leans smokey, and Provolone Cheese is closer to pleasant.
What is Provel Cheese made of?
Provel Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It originates in United States.
What is Provolone Cheese made of?
Provolone Cheese is made from cow milk. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Provel Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Provel Cheese is soft, processed, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan.
See full profiles: Provel Cheese and Provolone Cheese.