Provolone Cheese vs Pule Cheese

Q: Is Provolone Cheese the same as Pule Cheese?

No. Provolone Cheese and Pule Cheese are distinct cheeses from Italy and Serbia respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Provolone Cheese for Pule Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Provolone Cheese for Pule Cheese, though the result will shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Q: Which should I choose, Provolone Cheese or Pule Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Provolone Cheese is a semi-hard, artisan cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Pule Cheese is artisan, originating in Serbia.

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 Is Pule Cheese?

Pule, or magareći sir, is a Serbian cheese made from 60% Balkan donkey milk and 40% goat's milk at the Zasavica Nature Reserve. It is reported to be the world's most expensive cheese at US$1300 per kilogram.

What's the Difference Between Provolone Cheese and Pule Cheese?

Origin: Provolone Cheese (Italy), Pule Cheese (Serbia)
Milk type: Provolone Cheese (cow's milk), Pule Cheese (donkey's milk)
Texture: Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan), Pule Cheese (artisan)
Taste: Provolone Cheese (tangy), Pule Cheese (nutty and earthy)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Provolone Cheese	Pule Cheese
Country of Origin	Italy	Serbia
Specific Origin	Campania, Italy	Zasavica
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Donkey's milk
Texture	Semi-hard, artisan	Artisan
Aging	At least 4 months for piccante	—
Taste	Tangy	Nutty and earthy

Taste Comparison: Does Provolone Cheese Taste Like Pule Cheese?

Provolone Cheese reads as tangy, while Pule Cheese brings nutty and earthy character.

Can You Substitute Provolone Cheese for Pule Cheese?

Provolone Cheese can stand in for Pule Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semi-hard, artisan bite and body where the recipe calls for artisan. Flavor-wise, Provolone Cheese reads as tangy while Pule Cheese brings nutty and earthy notes.

Which Is Better, Provolone Cheese or Pule 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 artisan profile, Pule Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Provolone Cheese suits recipes that want tangy notes, while Pule Cheese fits dishes calling for nutty and earthy.

Which is your favorite?

One click, anonymous. See what others chose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Provolone Cheese the same as Pule Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Provolone Cheese originates in Italy, while Pule Cheese comes from Serbia.

Is Provolone Cheese similar to Pule Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Provolone Cheese for Pule Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Provolone Cheese taste like Pule Cheese?

Provolone Cheese reads as tangy, while Pule Cheese is nutty and earthy.

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.

What is Pule Cheese made of?

Pule Cheese is made from milk. It originates in Serbia.

Which should I choose, Provolone Cheese or Pule Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan, while Pule Cheese is artisan.