Provolone Cheese vs Vlašić Cheese
Provolone Cheese is a semi-hard, artisan cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Vlašić Cheese is solid, spreadable and made from sheep milk, originating in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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 Is Vlašić Cheese?
Vlašić is named after the Vlašić mountain region in central Bosnia and Herzegovina. It's a traditional hard cheese made from sheep's milk, known for its pungent aroma and sharp, salty flavor. Vlašić cheese is often aged in sheepskin sacks, enhancing its unique, robust taste.
What's the Difference Between Provolone Cheese and Vlašić Cheese?
- Origin: Provolone Cheese (Italy), Vlašić Cheese (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- Milk type: Provolone Cheese (cow's milk), Vlašić Cheese (Ewe’s milk)
- Texture: Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan), Vlašić Cheese (Solid, spreadable)
- Taste: Provolone Cheese (tangy), Vlašić Cheese (Milky sour, moderately salty)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Provolone Cheese | Vlašić Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Bosnia And Herzegovina |
| Specific Origin | — | Vlašić Mountain |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Ewe’s milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Strained |
| Texture | Semi-hard, artisan | Solid, spreadable |
| Aging | — | Minimum 60 days |
| Taste | Tangy | Milky sour, moderately salty |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Provolone Cheese | Vlašić Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Pastrami, Salami | — |
| Other Good Pairings | Chorizo, Grilled Cheese, Ham, Pinot Grigio, Pulled Pork, Roast Beef, Steak, Tomatoes, Tuna, Turkey | — |
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Where to buy Provolone Cheese and Vlašić Cheese
Provolone Cheese
Vlašić Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Provolone Cheese Taste Like Vlašić Cheese?
Provolone Cheese reads as tangy, while Vlašić Cheese brings milky sour, moderately salty character. On the nose, Provolone Cheese offers pleasant, contrasted with Vlašić Cheese's pleasant, of sheep’s milk.
Can You Substitute Provolone Cheese for Vlašić Cheese?
Provolone Cheese can stand in for Vlašić 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 solid, spreadable. Flavor-wise, Provolone Cheese reads as tangy while Vlašić Cheese brings milky sour, moderately salty notes.
Which Is Better, Provolone Cheese or Vlašić 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 solid, spreadable profile, Vlašić Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Provolone Cheese suits recipes that want tangy notes, while Vlašić Cheese fits dishes calling for milky sour, moderately salty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Provolone Cheese the same as Vlašić Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Provolone Cheese originates in Italy, while Vlašić Cheese comes from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Provolone Cheese is made from cow milk; Vlašić Cheese uses sheep.
Is Provolone Cheese similar to Vlašić Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Provolone Cheese for Vlašić Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Provolone Cheese taste like Vlašić Cheese?
Provolone Cheese reads as tangy, while Vlašić Cheese is milky sour, moderately salty. Aromas also diverge. Provolone Cheese leans pleasant, and Vlašić Cheese is closer to pleasant, of sheep’s milk.
What is Provolone Cheese made of?
Provolone Cheese is made from cow milk. It originates in Italy.
What is Vlašić Cheese made of?
Vlašić Cheese is made from sheep milk (strained), using local natural calf rennet. It's typically aged minimum 60 days. It originates in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Which should I choose, Provolone Cheese or Vlašić Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan, while Vlašić Cheese is solid, spreadable.
See full profiles: Provolone Cheese and Vlašić Cheese.