Gorgonzola Cheese vs Provolone del Monaco Cheese
Gorgonzola Cheese is a soft to crumbly cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese is compact with eyes and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Gorgonzola Cheese?
Gorgonzola is one of the world's oldest blue-veined cheeses, produced in Northern Italy. It's rich and creamy with a sharp, piquant flavor that varies depending on its age. Gorgonzola can be spicy (Piccante) or sweet (Dolce), with the latter being softer and less aged.
What Is Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
Provolone del Monaco is a semi-hard cheese from the Sorrentine Peninsula of Italy, made from the milk of local Agerolese cows. Aged for a minimum of six months, it develops a strong, sharp flavor with earthy and nutty undertones. Its name, meaning "Monk's Provolone," refers to the cloak-like cover traditionally used during the aging process.
What's the Difference Between Gorgonzola Cheese and Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Gorgonzola Cheese (pasteurized), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Raw)
- Texture: Gorgonzola Cheese (Soft to crumbly), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Compact with eyes)
- Rind: Gorgonzola Cheese (None), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Thin and smooth pale-yellow)
- Aging: Gorgonzola Cheese (2 to 3 months), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (At least 6 months)
- Taste: Gorgonzola Cheese (Sweet to savory), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Gorgonzola Cheese | Provolone del Monaco Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Lombardy, Piedmont | Municipalities In The Metropolitan City Of Naples |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Soft to crumbly | Compact with eyes |
| Rind | None | Thin and smooth pale-yellow |
| Aging | 2 to 3 months | At least 6 months |
| Taste | Sweet to savory | Sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Gorgonzola Cheese | Provolone del Monaco Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Asti Spumante, Dried Fruit, Steak | — |
| Other Good Pairings | Bresaola | — |
Which would you pick?
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Where to buy Gorgonzola Cheese and Provolone del Monaco Cheese
Gorgonzola Cheese
Provolone del Monaco Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Gorgonzola Cheese Taste Like Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
Gorgonzola Cheese reads as sweet to savory, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese brings sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste character. On the nose, Gorgonzola Cheese offers nutty, contrasted with Provolone del Monaco Cheese's sweet and buttery. Aging plays into this as well. Gorgonzola Cheese at 2 to 3 months develops a different profile than Provolone del Monaco Cheese at at least 6 months.
Can You Substitute Gorgonzola Cheese for Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
In most recipes, Gorgonzola Cheese and Provolone del Monaco Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect soft to crumbly bite and body where the recipe calls for compact with eyes. Flavor-wise, Gorgonzola Cheese reads as sweet to savory while Provolone del Monaco Cheese brings sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste notes.
Which Is Better, Gorgonzola Cheese or Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft to crumbly cheese, go with Gorgonzola Cheese. For a compact with eyes profile, Provolone del Monaco Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Gorgonzola Cheese suits recipes that want sweet to savory notes, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gorgonzola Cheese the same as Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Gorgonzola Cheese is typically aged 2 to 3 months, Provolone del Monaco Cheese at least 6 months.
Is Gorgonzola Cheese similar to Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Gorgonzola Cheese for Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Gorgonzola Cheese taste like Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
Gorgonzola Cheese reads as sweet to savory, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese is sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste. Aromas also diverge. Gorgonzola Cheese leans nutty, and Provolone del Monaco Cheese is closer to sweet and buttery.
What is Gorgonzola Cheese made of?
Gorgonzola Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 2 to 3 months. It originates in Italy.
What is Provolone del Monaco Cheese made of?
Provolone del Monaco Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using kid rennet paste or calf liquid rennet or a combination of both rennet. It's typically aged at least 6 months. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Gorgonzola Cheese or Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Gorgonzola Cheese is soft to crumbly, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese is compact with eyes.
See full profiles: Gorgonzola Cheese and Provolone del Monaco Cheese.