Gorgonzola Cheese vs Provolone Cheese
Gorgonzola Cheese
Provolone Cheese
Gorgonzola Cheese is a soft to crumbly cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan 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 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's the Difference Between Gorgonzola Cheese and Provolone Cheese?
- Texture: Gorgonzola Cheese (Soft to crumbly), Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan)
- Taste: Gorgonzola Cheese (Sweet to savory), Provolone Cheese (tangy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Gorgonzola Cheese | Provolone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Lombardy, Piedmont | — |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | — |
| Texture | Soft to crumbly | Semi-hard, artisan |
| Rind | None | — |
| Aging | 2 to 3 months | — |
| Taste | Sweet to savory | Tangy |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Gorgonzola Cheese | Provolone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Asti Spumante, Dried Fruit, Steak | Pastrami, Salami |
| Other Good Pairings | Bresaola | 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 Gorgonzola Cheese and Provolone Cheese
Gorgonzola Cheese
Provolone Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Gorgonzola Cheese Taste Like Provolone Cheese?
Gorgonzola Cheese reads as sweet to savory, while Provolone Cheese brings tangy character. On the nose, Gorgonzola Cheese offers nutty, contrasted with Provolone Cheese's pleasant.
Can You Substitute Gorgonzola Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
In most recipes, Gorgonzola Cheese and Provolone 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 semi-hard, artisan. Flavor-wise, Gorgonzola Cheese reads as sweet to savory while Provolone Cheese brings tangy notes.
Which Is Better, Gorgonzola Cheese or Provolone 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 semi-hard, artisan profile, Provolone Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Gorgonzola Cheese suits recipes that want sweet to savory notes, while Provolone Cheese fits dishes calling for tangy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gorgonzola Cheese the same as Provolone Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses.
Is Gorgonzola Cheese similar to Provolone Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Gorgonzola Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Gorgonzola Cheese taste like Provolone Cheese?
Gorgonzola Cheese reads as sweet to savory, while Provolone Cheese is tangy. Aromas also diverge. Gorgonzola Cheese leans nutty, and Provolone Cheese is closer to pleasant.
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 Cheese made of?
Provolone Cheese is made from cow milk. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Gorgonzola Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Gorgonzola Cheese is soft to crumbly, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan.
See full profiles: Gorgonzola Cheese and Provolone Cheese.