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 white processed cheese that blends cheddar, Swiss and provolone with liquid smoke. It melts at a low temperature, tastes buttery, and is the traditional cheese on St. Louis-style pizza.
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 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 | Campania, Italy |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | — |
| Texture | Soft, processed | Semi-hard, artisan |
| Rind | Plastic | — |
| Aging | — | At least 4 months for piccante |
| Taste | Buttery | Tangy |
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.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
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's typically aged at least 4 months for piccante. 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.