Quick Answer: What Does Provolone Cheese Taste Like?
The taste of Provolone cheese is often described as buttery or sharp, mild, and somewhat spicy. A subtle nutty flavor is present in Provolone, along with a saltiness. The flavor profile of Provolone cheese can range from mild to sharp, depending on the age. The taste of Provolone cheese can also vary based on the aging process it has undergone and the ingredients used.
If you’ve never had provolone cheese before, you might be wondering what it tastes like.
But don’t worry, in this post, I will discuss what exactly Provolone cheese tastes like.
Let’s dive right in.
What Is Provolone Cheese?
Provolone cheese originated in Italy, but it can be found globally today. It is made from whole or skimmed cow milk mixed with heated whey. It has a smooth texture similar to Cheddar cheese.
Provolone cheese is yellowish, creamy, soft, and pliable from the outside.
The smooth, pale yellow skin of Provolone is usually not eaten. The cheese’s interior yellow color deepens during aging, and it develops a golden oily rind.
It is known to be formed in different shapes and sizes, such as cones, pears, tubes, or torpedoes.
Some manufacturers even give Provolone cheese fanciful shapes such as animals or figurines.
What Does Provolone Cheese Taste Like?
Provolone cheese has a mild, tangy flavor. It is not so sharp or pungent as other cheeses, so it does not overpower the dish’s different tastes. The flavor profile of Provolone cheese differs depending on the type of milk is used and how long it was aged for.
Provolone tastes great. It has a complex, mild-to-strong taste with a slight sweetness.
The higher-quality versions have a subtle nutty flavor.
Young Provolone cheese is sweet and milder in taste, while older ones have a more intense flavor like nutty or earthy tones.
In addition to having a spicy flavor, aged Provolone cheese is buttery, sharp, and strong.
Provolone Cheese Varieties
Provolone Cheese has two varieties: Provolone Dolce and Provolone Picante. Provolone Dolce is aged approximately two to three months and has a mild creamy and milky flavor. Provolone Picante is usually aged from three months to a year and is drier, sharper, and more pungent than Provolone Dolce.
The flavor of these varieties varies. The provolone dolce (sweet) version has a mild taste.
In contrast, Provolone piccante has a sharp, tangy, and more pronounced spicy flavor.
Does Provolone Cheese Taste Like Mozzarella?
Yes, kind of. Both of them are processed in the same way. You can call Mozzarella young Provolone. Mozzarella and Provolone both have that buttery, milky taste.
Young Provolone is much similar to Mozzarella in taste.
Still, aged Provolone differs in taste- Mozzarella is mild, creamy, and buttery, while aged Provolone is spicy and salty. It’s also nutty and tangy.
Substitutes For Provolone Cheese
Here are some of the substitutes for Provolone Cheese –
- Fontina has a mild and nutty taste and offers a dense and slightly firm texture. Just like Provolone cheese, Fontina cheese has subtle nuances unique to its place of origin.
- Mozzarella is a close relative of Provolone. Mozzarella has a fresh and mild flavor. It boasts flavors akin to those of young Provolone.
- Muenster cheese is a semi-soft cheese like Provolone. You can mix it with low moisture Mozzarella to make it similar to Provolone.
- Gruyere cheese has a creamy and nice texture and a nutty flavor like Provolone.
How To Use Provolone Cheese?
Provolone Cheese is fantastic when melted onto burgers, sandwiches, casseroles, or stuffed and baked into lasagna.
Watch the recipe here –
- Provolone Picante’s sharp flavor makes it an excellent addition to a dessert, as a cheesy topping or grated over soups, pasta, pizza, or salads.
- You can make a frittata with zucchini and Provolone.
- Enjoy bruschetta with Provolone.
- Slices of Provolone cheese drizzling over an omelet filled with veggies is another fantastic way to eat the cheese.
- Provolone cheese can be eaten alone as a snack or served with other foods to add flavor and texture.
Watch the chicken Provolone recipe here –
How To Store Provolone Cheese?
Once opened, wrap the original packaging tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Before refrigerating the cheese, wrap it first in wax or parchment paper and then in plastic wrap for even better results.
Properly stored, a chunk of Provolone will last for up to 2 to 3 weeks in the refrigerator. To extend its shelf life further, freeze it.
To freeze a chunk of Provolone cheese: Slice the cheese into portions not exceeding 1/2 pound each, and tightly wrap in heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap.
Correctly done, it will keep the best quality for about two months.
Is Provolone Cheese Healthy?
Because of its calcium content, Provolone cheese provides vital nutrients for bone strength and eyesight.
It also contains Vitamin B12, which is necessary for the proper functioning of the central nervous system and red blood cell formation.
Provolone contains a good amount of protein. Protein allows the body to balance blood-sugar levels and promotes a more gradual release of glucose into the bloodstream.
In The End
I hope this quick guide helped you understand the taste of Provolone cheese better.
If you have any queries, please let me know!
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