Gorgonzola Cheese vs 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 an Italian blue cheese made from unskimmed cow's milk, named for a town near Milan. It comes in two styles: dolce, mild and buttery, and piccante, sharper with a firm, crumbly body.

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's the Difference Between Gorgonzola Cheese and Provolone Cheese?

• Texture: Gorgonzola Cheese (Soft to crumbly), Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan)
• Aging: Gorgonzola Cheese (2 to 3 months), Provolone Cheese (at least 4 months for piccante)
• Taste: Gorgonzola Cheese (Sweet to savory), Provolone Cheese (tangy)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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. Aging plays into this as well. Gorgonzola Cheese at 2 to 3 months develops a different profile than Provolone Cheese at at least 4 months for piccante.

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. Aging also differs: Gorgonzola Cheese is typically aged 2 to 3 months, Provolone Cheese at least 4 months for piccante.

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's typically aged at least 4 months for piccante. 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.