Provolone Cheese vs Rabacal Cheese
Provolone Cheese is a semi-hard, artisan cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Rabacal Cheese is semi-hard, artisan and made from goat and sheep milk, originating in Portugal.
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 Rabacal Cheese?
Rabaçal is a Portuguese sheep's and goat's milk cheese from the village of Rabaçal in the Coimbra district, protected as a DOP since 1996. It is sold mainly as a hard cheese with a delicate, balanced taste that sharpens as it ages.
What's the Difference Between Provolone Cheese and Rabacal Cheese?
- Origin: Provolone Cheese (Italy), Rabacal Cheese (Portugal)
- Milk type: Provolone Cheese (cow's milk), Rabacal Cheese (goat's and sheep's milk)
- Taste: Provolone Cheese (tangy), Rabacal Cheese (smooth)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Provolone Cheese | Rabacal Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Portugal |
| Specific Origin | Campania, Italy | Rabaçal, Coimbra District, Portugal |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Goat's and sheep's milk |
| Texture | Semi-hard, artisan | Semi-hard, artisan |
| Rind | — | Smooth, dry to slightly oily |
| Aging | At least 4 months for piccante | — |
| Taste | Tangy | Smooth |
Taste Comparison: Does Provolone Cheese Taste Like Rabacal Cheese?
Provolone Cheese reads as tangy, while Rabacal Cheese brings smooth character. On the nose, Provolone Cheese offers pleasant, contrasted with Rabacal Cheese's herbal, from the local pasture herbs.
Can You Substitute Provolone Cheese for Rabacal Cheese?
Provolone Cheese can stand in for Rabacal Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Flavor-wise, Provolone Cheese reads as tangy while Rabacal Cheese brings smooth notes.
Which Is Better, Provolone Cheese or Rabacal Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. Flavor-wise, Provolone Cheese suits recipes that want tangy notes, while Rabacal Cheese fits dishes calling for smooth.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Provolone Cheese the same as Rabacal Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Provolone Cheese originates in Italy, while Rabacal Cheese comes from Portugal. Provolone Cheese is made from cow milk; Rabacal Cheese uses goat and sheep.
Is Provolone Cheese similar to Rabacal Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Provolone Cheese for Rabacal Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Provolone Cheese taste like Rabacal Cheese?
Provolone Cheese reads as tangy, while Rabacal Cheese is smooth. Aromas also diverge. Provolone Cheese leans pleasant, and Rabacal Cheese is closer to herbal, from the local pasture herbs.
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 Rabacal Cheese made of?
Rabacal Cheese is made from goat and sheep milk, using animal rennet. It originates in Portugal.
Which should I choose, Provolone Cheese or Rabacal Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.