Provolone del Monaco Cheese vs Tête de Moine Cheese
Provolone del Monaco Cheese
Tête de Moine Cheese
Provolone del Monaco Cheese is a semi-hard cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Tête de Moine Cheese is semi-hard and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.
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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 Is Tête de Moine Cheese?
Tête de Moine AOP is a semi-hard cow's milk cheese from the Swiss Jura, first made by the canons of Bellelay abbey in the 12th century. It is not sliced but pared into thin rosettes with a Girolle.
What's the Difference Between Provolone del Monaco Cheese and Tête de Moine Cheese?
- Origin: Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Italy), Tête de Moine Cheese (Switzerland)
- Milk treatment: Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Raw), Tête de Moine Cheese (unpasteurized)
- Rind: Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Thin and smooth pale-yellow), Tête de Moine Cheese (firm, grainy natural crust)
- Aging: Provolone del Monaco Cheese (At least 6 months), Tête de Moine Cheese (at least 2½ months)
- Taste: Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste), Tête de Moine Cheese (nutty)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Provolone del Monaco Cheese | Tête de Moine Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | Municipalities In The Metropolitan City Of Naples | Bernese Jura And Canton Of Jura, Switzerland |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Semi-hard | Semi-hard |
| Rind | Thin and smooth pale-yellow | Firm, grainy natural crust |
| Aging | At least 6 months | At least 2½ months |
| Taste | Sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste | Nutty |
Taste Comparison: Does Provolone del Monaco Cheese Taste Like Tête de Moine Cheese?
Provolone del Monaco Cheese reads as sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste, while Tête de Moine Cheese brings nutty character. On the nose, Provolone del Monaco Cheese offers sweet and buttery, contrasted with Tête de Moine Cheese's rich. Aging plays into this as well. Provolone del Monaco Cheese at at least 6 months develops a different profile than Tête de Moine Cheese at at least 2½ months.
Can You Substitute Provolone del Monaco Cheese for Tête de Moine Cheese?
In most recipes, Provolone del Monaco Cheese and Tête de Moine Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Flavor-wise, Provolone del Monaco Cheese reads as sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste while Tête de Moine Cheese brings nutty notes.
Which Is Better, Provolone del Monaco Cheese or Tête de Moine Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. Flavor-wise, Provolone del Monaco Cheese suits recipes that want sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste notes, while Tête de Moine Cheese fits dishes calling for nutty.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Provolone del Monaco Cheese the same as Tête de Moine Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Provolone del Monaco Cheese originates in Italy, while Tête de Moine Cheese comes from Switzerland. Aging also differs: Provolone del Monaco Cheese is typically aged at least 6 months, Tête de Moine Cheese at least 2½ months.
Is Provolone del Monaco Cheese similar to Tête de Moine Cheese?
Yes, they share close profiles. Same milk base and similar texture make them workable alternatives in many recipes.
Can I substitute Provolone del Monaco Cheese for Tête de Moine Cheese?
Yes, quite easily. The milk base and texture are close enough that most recipes won't notice the swap.
Does Provolone del Monaco Cheese taste like Tête de Moine Cheese?
Provolone del Monaco Cheese reads as sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste, while Tête de Moine Cheese is nutty. Aromas also diverge. Provolone del Monaco Cheese leans sweet and buttery, and Tête de Moine Cheese is closer to rich.
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.
What is Tête de Moine Cheese made of?
Tête de Moine Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged at least 2½ months. It originates in Switzerland.
Which should I choose, Provolone del Monaco Cheese or Tête de Moine Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.