Mozzarella Cheese vs Provolone Cheese
Mozzarella Cheese
Provolone Cheese
Mozzarella Cheese is a soft, creamy cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo-milk cheese from Italy, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Mozzarella Cheese?
Mozzarella is a soft, white cheese originally from Southern Italy. Traditionally made from water buffalo milk (mozzarella di bufala), it's also commonly produced from cow's milk (fior di latte). Mozzarella is famous for its mild, milky flavor and stretchy texture, making it ideal for pizzas and caprese salads.
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 Mozzarella Cheese and Provolone Cheese?
- Milk type: Mozzarella Cheese (cow's, goat's, sheep's or water buffalo's milk), Provolone Cheese (cow's milk)
- Texture: Mozzarella Cheese (Soft, creamy), Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan)
- Taste: Mozzarella Cheese (Mild, milky), Provolone Cheese (tangy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Mozzarella Cheese | Provolone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Milk Type | Cow's, goat's, sheep's or water buffalo's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | — |
| Texture | Soft, creamy | Semi-hard, artisan |
| Rind | None | — |
| Aging | Eaten fresh | — |
| Taste | Mild, milky | Tangy |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Mozzarella Cheese | Provolone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Avocado, Chicken, Green Tea, Olives, Pesto, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Gris, Prosciutto, Sauvignon Blanc, Shrimp, Tomatoes, Tuna | Pastrami, Salami |
| Other Good Pairings | Albariño, Asparagus, Asti Spumante, Bresaola, Clam Chowder, Cod, Ham, Kolsch, Macaroni and Cheese, Pastrami, Prosecco, Pulled Pork, Roasted Vegetables, Salami, Sangiovese, Seaweed, Turkey | Chorizo, Grilled Cheese, Ham, Pinot Grigio, Pulled Pork, Roast Beef, Steak, Tomatoes, Tuna, Turkey |
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Where to buy Mozzarella Cheese and Provolone Cheese
Mozzarella Cheese
Provolone Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Mozzarella Cheese Taste Like Provolone Cheese?
Mozzarella Cheese reads as mild, milky, while Provolone Cheese brings tangy character. On the nose, Mozzarella Cheese offers mild, contrasted with Provolone Cheese's pleasant.
Can You Substitute Mozzarella Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
Mozzarella Cheese can stand in for Provolone Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, creamy bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard, artisan. Flavor-wise, Mozzarella Cheese reads as mild, milky while Provolone Cheese brings tangy notes.
Which Is Better, Mozzarella Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, creamy cheese, go with Mozzarella Cheese. For a semi-hard, artisan profile, Provolone Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Mozzarella Cheese suits recipes that want mild, milky notes, while Provolone Cheese fits dishes calling for tangy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mozzarella Cheese the same as Provolone Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Mozzarella Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk; Provolone Cheese uses cow.
Is Mozzarella Cheese similar to Provolone Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Mozzarella Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Mozzarella Cheese taste like Provolone Cheese?
Mozzarella Cheese reads as mild, milky, while Provolone Cheese is tangy. Aromas also diverge. Mozzarella Cheese leans mild, and Provolone Cheese is closer to pleasant.
What is Mozzarella Cheese made of?
Mozzarella Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk (pasteurized), using calf's or microbial rennet. It's typically aged eaten fresh. 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, Mozzarella Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Mozzarella Cheese is soft, creamy, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan.
See full profiles: Mozzarella Cheese and Provolone Cheese.