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 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 Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese?
Vorarlberger Alpkäse is a hard cheese from Austria, specifically produced in the province of Vorarlberg. It is made using untreated, silo-free alpine raw cow’s milk. The cheese is produced on alps and alpine pastures at altitudes between 1,000 and 1,800 meters above sea level. The cheese rounds can weigh up to 40 kg and are matured for at least 3 months. Vorarlberger Alpkäse has a dried, brownish yellow to brown granular rind and a firm to smooth texture. It is ivory-colored with round, pea-sized holes. The flavor is mild and becomes sharper with age. The cheese is produced using traditional artisanal methods, contributing to its unique taste and long shelf life.
What's the Difference Between Provolone Cheese and Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese?
- Texture: Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan), Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese (Firm to smooth)
- 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 | — | 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 3 months |
| Taste | Tangy | Mild, becomes sharp with increasing age |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Provolone Cheese | Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Pastrami, Salami | — |
| Other Good Pairings | Chorizo, Grilled Cheese, Ham, Pinot Grigio, Pulled Pork, Roast Beef, Steak, Tomatoes, Tuna, Turkey | — |
Which would you pick?
One click, anonymous — see what others chose.
Where to buy Provolone Cheese and Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese
Provolone Cheese
Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Provolone Cheese the same as Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses.
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 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.
See full profiles: Provolone Cheese and Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese.