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 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 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 Provolone Cheese and Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
- Texture: Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Compact with eyes)
- Taste: Provolone Cheese (tangy), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Provolone Cheese | Provolone del Monaco Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Specific Origin | — | Municipalities In The Metropolitan City Of Naples |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Raw |
| Texture | Semi-hard, artisan | Compact with eyes |
| Rind | — | Thin and smooth pale-yellow |
| Aging | — | At least 6 months |
| Taste | Tangy | Sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Provolone Cheese | Provolone del Monaco 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 Provolone Cheese and Provolone del Monaco Cheese
Provolone Cheese
Provolone del Monaco Cheese
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.
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.
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 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.
See full profiles: Provolone Cheese and Provolone del Monaco Cheese.