Provolone Cheese vs Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese
Provolone Cheese is a semi-hard, artisan cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese is firm to smooth and made from cow 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 Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
Vorarlberger Bergkäse is a hard cow's milk cheese from the Austrian state of Vorarlberg, made by hand from raw hay milk and protected as a PDO. It ages 3 to 6 months, sometimes past two years, and tastes nutty with herbal notes.
What's the Difference Between Provolone Cheese and Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
- Texture: Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan), Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese (Firm to smooth)
- Aging: Provolone Cheese (at least 4 months for piccante), Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese (At least 3 months)
- Taste: Provolone Cheese (tangy), Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese (Spicy, becoming sharp with increasing age)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Provolone Cheese | Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | — |
| Specific Origin | Campania, Italy | Vorarlberg, Including Regions Bregenzerwald, Kleinwalsertal, Großwalsertal, Leiblachtal (Pfänderstock), Walgau, And Rheintal. |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Raw |
| Texture | Semi-hard, artisan | Firm to smooth |
| Rind | — | Smear-ripened to dried, brownish yellow to brown granular rind |
| Aging | At least 4 months for piccante | At least 3 months |
| Taste | Tangy | Spicy, becoming sharp with increasing age |
Taste Comparison: Does Provolone Cheese Taste Like Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
Provolone Cheese reads as tangy, while Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese brings spicy, becoming sharp with increasing age character. Aging plays into this as well. Provolone Cheese at at least 4 months for piccante develops a different profile than Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese at at least 3 months.
Can You Substitute Provolone Cheese for Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
In most recipes, Provolone Cheese and Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect semi-hard, artisan bite and body where the recipe calls for firm to smooth. Flavor-wise, Provolone Cheese reads as tangy while Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese brings spicy, becoming sharp with increasing age notes.
Which Is Better, Provolone Cheese or Vorarlberger Bergkäse 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 firm to smooth profile, Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Provolone Cheese suits recipes that want tangy notes, while Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese fits dishes calling for spicy, becoming sharp with increasing age.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Provolone Cheese the same as Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Provolone Cheese is typically aged at least 4 months for piccante, Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese at least 3 months.
Is Provolone Cheese similar to Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Provolone Cheese for Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Provolone Cheese taste like Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
Provolone Cheese reads as tangy, while Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese is spicy, becoming sharp with increasing age.
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 Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese made of?
Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using natural rennet. It's typically aged at least 3 months.
Which should I choose, Provolone Cheese or Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan, while Vorarlberger Bergkäse Cheese is firm to smooth.