Provolone Cheese vs Provolone del Monaco Cheese

Provolone Cheese is a semi-hard, artisan cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese is compact with eyes and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

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 Is Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

Provolone del Monaco is an Italian cheese made from the milk of the Agerolese cow in the hills behind Naples. It is named for the heavy cloaks its makers wore when they landed at the port of Naples, and it has held PDO status since 2010.

What's the Difference Between Provolone Cheese and Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

• Texture: Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Compact with eyes)
• Aging: Provolone Cheese (at least 4 months for piccante), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (At least 6 months)
• Taste: Provolone Cheese (tangy), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Provolone Cheese Taste Like Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

Provolone Cheese reads as tangy, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese brings sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste character. On the nose, Provolone Cheese offers pleasant, contrasted with Provolone del Monaco Cheese's sweet and buttery. Aging plays into this as well. Provolone Cheese at at least 4 months for piccante develops a different profile than Provolone del Monaco Cheese at at least 6 months.

Can You Substitute Provolone Cheese for Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

In most recipes, Provolone Cheese and Provolone del Monaco Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect semi-hard, artisan bite and body where the recipe calls for compact with eyes. Flavor-wise, Provolone Cheese reads as tangy while Provolone del Monaco Cheese brings sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste notes.

Which Is Better, Provolone 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 semi-hard, artisan cheese, go with Provolone Cheese. For a compact with eyes profile, Provolone del Monaco Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Provolone Cheese suits recipes that want tangy notes, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Provolone Cheese the same as Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Provolone Cheese is typically aged at least 4 months for piccante, Provolone del Monaco Cheese at least 6 months.

Is Provolone Cheese similar to Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Provolone Cheese for Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Provolone Cheese taste like Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

Provolone Cheese reads as tangy, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese is sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste. Aromas also diverge. Provolone Cheese leans pleasant, and Provolone del Monaco Cheese is closer to sweet and buttery.

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.

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, Provolone Cheese or Provolone del Monaco Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese is compact with eyes.