Provolone Cheese vs Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese
Provolone Cheese is a semi-hard, artisan cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Vorarlberger Alpkäse 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 Alpkäse Cheese?
Vorarlberger Alpkäse is an Austrian hard cheese made from raw milk on the alps and Vorsäße of Vorarlberg. It holds a protected designation of origin, weighs up to 40 kilograms, and tastes mild young and piquant with age.
What's the Difference Between Provolone Cheese and Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese?
- Texture: Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan), Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese (Firm to smooth)
- Aging: Provolone Cheese (at least 4 months for piccante), Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese (At least 3 months)
- Taste: Provolone Cheese (tangy), Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese (Mild, becomes sharp with increasing age)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Provolone Cheese | Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | — |
| Specific Origin | Campania, Italy | Province Of Vorarlberg |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Untreated, raw, non-thermised, non-pasteurised, not sterilised by centrifugation |
| Texture | Semi-hard, artisan | Firm to smooth |
| Rind | — | Dried, brownish yellow to brown granular rind |
| Aging | At least 4 months for piccante | At least 3 months |
| Taste | Tangy | Mild, becomes sharp with increasing age |
Taste Comparison: Does Provolone Cheese Taste Like Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese?
Provolone Cheese reads as tangy, while Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese brings mild, becomes 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 Alpkäse Cheese at at least 3 months.
Can You Substitute Provolone Cheese for Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese?
In most recipes, Provolone Cheese and Vorarlberger Alpkäse 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 Alpkäse Cheese brings mild, becomes sharp with increasing age notes.
Which Is Better, Provolone Cheese or Vorarlberger Alpkäse 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 Alpkäse Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Provolone Cheese suits recipes that want tangy notes, while Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, becomes sharp with increasing age.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Provolone Cheese the same as Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Provolone Cheese is typically aged at least 4 months for piccante, Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese at least 3 months.
Is Provolone Cheese similar to Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Provolone Cheese for Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Provolone Cheese taste like Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese?
Provolone Cheese reads as tangy, while Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese is mild, becomes 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 Alpkäse Cheese made of?
Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese is made from cow milk (untreated, raw, non-thermised, non-pasteurised, not sterilised by centrifugation), using not genetically engineered rennet. It's typically aged at least 3 months.
Which should I choose, Provolone Cheese or Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan, while Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese is firm to smooth.