Provolone Cheese vs Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese
Provolone Cheese is a semi-hard, artisan cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk.
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 Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
Tomme des Pyrénées is a mild pressed cheese from the French Pyrenees, made from raw or pasteurized cow's milk. It is known for its supple paste, slightly salty taste, and the black or gold wax skin that covers many wheels.
What's the Difference Between Provolone Cheese and Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
- Milk type: Provolone Cheese (cow's milk), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Cow's milk, goat's milk, mixed milk (cow's milk with ewe's milk or goat's milk, goat's milk with ewe's milk))
- Texture: Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens)
- Aging: Provolone Cheese (at least 4 months for piccante), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type)
- Taste: Provolone Cheese (tangy), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Provolone Cheese | Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | — |
| Specific Origin | Campania, Italy | French Side Of The Pyrenees |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk, goat's milk, mixed milk (cow's milk with ewe's milk or goat's milk, goat's milk with ewe's milk) |
| Milk Treatment | — | Heat-treated or raw |
| Texture | Semi-hard, artisan | Soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens |
| Rind | — | Orange with hints of white, yellow, or grey; black or gold coating for heat-treated milk cheeses |
| Aging | At least 4 months for piccante | Minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type |
| Taste | Tangy | Varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas |
Taste Comparison: Does Provolone Cheese Taste Like Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
Provolone Cheese reads as tangy, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese brings varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas character. On the nose, Provolone Cheese offers pleasant, contrasted with Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese's fresh whey to more pronounced aromas. Aging plays into this as well. Provolone Cheese at at least 4 months for piccante develops a different profile than Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese at minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type.
Can You Substitute Provolone Cheese for Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
Provolone Cheese can stand in for Tomme des Pyrénées 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 soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens. Flavor-wise, Provolone Cheese reads as tangy while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese brings varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas notes.
Which Is Better, Provolone Cheese or Tomme des Pyrénées 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 soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens profile, Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Provolone Cheese suits recipes that want tangy notes, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese fits dishes calling for varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Provolone Cheese the same as Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Provolone Cheese is made from cow milk; Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep. Aging also differs: Provolone Cheese is typically aged at least 4 months for piccante, Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type.
Is Provolone Cheese similar to Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Provolone Cheese for Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Provolone Cheese taste like Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
Provolone Cheese reads as tangy, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas. Aromas also diverge. Provolone Cheese leans pleasant, and Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is closer to fresh whey to more pronounced aromas.
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 Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese made of?
Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (heat-treated or raw), using coagulating enzyme (not limited to animal rennet) rennet. It's typically aged minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type.
Which should I choose, Provolone Cheese or Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens.