Kamil Perry
Provolone is a variety of cheese with Italian origins. It is often used in sandwiches, casseroles, and on homemade pizzas. Provolone is buttery and has a distinctive flavor. While traditional provolone is made from dairy, there are now several dairy-free and vegan alternatives available on the market, such as Violife's and Follow Your Heart's smoked provolone slices. These alternatives are made from coconut oil, B12, and other plant-based ingredients. Traditional provolone cheese contains very low levels of lactose, making it suitable for most people with lactose intolerance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dairy-Free | Yes |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Lactose Content | Very Low |
| Taste | Buttery, Creamy |
| Texture | Creamy |
| Use Cases | Sandwiches, Casseroles, Homemade Pizza, Crackers, Wine, Grilled Bread |
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What You'll Learn
Provolone is a type of cheese with low lactose levels
Provolone cheese, known for its buttery texture and distinctive flavour, has a lactose content ranging from 0% to 2.1%. This means it can be consumed by most people with lactose intolerance without triggering adverse reactions. However, it's important to remember that individual tolerance levels may vary, and some people with severe lactose intolerance may still experience discomfort even with low-lactose cheeses.
Aged cheeses, such as Provolone, tend to have lower lactose levels than other varieties. The aging process allows bacteria to feed on the lactose in the cheese, reducing its lactose content over time. This makes aged cheeses like Provolone a safer option for those with lactose intolerance compared to fresh cheeses with higher lactose levels.
In addition to its low lactose levels, Provolone cheese is also available in dairy-free and vegan options. Brands like Follow Your Heart and Violife offer dairy-free Provolone slices that are made from plant-based ingredients while retaining the classic Italian flavour and creamy texture of traditional Provolone. These dairy-free alternatives provide a great option for those who are not only lactose intolerant but also choose to avoid dairy products for ethical, environmental, or health reasons.
Overall, Provolone cheese, with its low lactose levels, is a viable choice for individuals with lactose intolerance. Its buttery texture and flavour make it a versatile ingredient in sandwiches, casseroles, and pizzas. Additionally, the availability of dairy-free and vegan options further expands the possibilities for those seeking to enjoy the unique taste of Provolone without the presence of lactose or animal-derived ingredients.
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Provolone is safe for lactose-intolerant people
Provolone is a variety of cheese with Italian origins. It is often used in sandwiches, casseroles, and on homemade pizzas. While it is usually made from dairy, there are vegan options available that are 100% dairy-free and contain no lactose. These options are made from coconut oil, B12, and other plant-based ingredients.
Even the traditional dairy-based Provolone cheese is safe for most people with lactose intolerance. This is because it is an aged cheese, and aged cheeses like Parmesan and Provolone contain very low levels of lactose. The lactose content of Provolone ranges from 0% to 2.1% or 2.2%, depending on the source. This is a very low amount of lactose, and most people with lactose intolerance can safely consume small amounts of dairy when it is this low in lactose.
However, it is important to note that lactose intolerance varies from person to person. Some people with lactose intolerance may be able to tolerate small amounts of dairy, while others may need to avoid it completely. In addition, some people may be allergic to casein, a protein found in milk, rather than being lactose intolerant. These people would not be able to tolerate Provolone cheese, even though it is low in lactose.
For people who are lactose intolerant but still want to enjoy cheese, there are several other varieties that are known to be low in lactose. These include Havarti (0.1%-2% lactose), Limburger (2% lactose), Feta (0.5%-1.5% lactose), Muenster (0%-1.1% lactose), Camembert (0%-1.8% lactose), Cheddar (0%-2.1% lactose), Gouda (0%-2.2% or 3.4% lactose), Blue Cheese (0%-2.5% lactose), and Swiss Cheese (0%-3.4% lactose).
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Provolone is not dairy-free
Provolone is a variety of cheese with Italian origins. It is often sold smoked and has a buttery texture, making it a good choice for sandwiches, casseroles, and homemade pizzas.
For those with a milk allergy or a more severe intolerance, there are dairy-free and vegan alternatives to traditional provolone cheese. These alternatives are made from plant-based ingredients such as coconut oil, B12, and potato protein, and are designed to mimic the flavor and texture of the original cheese.
It is important to note that while provolone has a low lactose content, it is not completely lactose-free. Those with a high sensitivity to lactose may still experience discomfort after consuming it. Additionally, those with a milk allergy may experience more severe reactions, as allergies are an immune response to milk proteins rather than an intolerance to lactose.
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Vegan Provolone is available
Provolone is a buttery cheese, often sold smoked, with a 0-2.2% lactose range. This means that it is suitable for people who are lactose intolerant. However, it is not dairy-free.
Follow Your Heart's vegan Provolone is described as having a "creamy taste and texture that's so irresistible, you won't be able to stop at one bite." It is designed to be used in the same way as dairy Provolone. Violife's dairy-free Provolone slices are also said to bring a creamy, subtle smokiness to sandwiches and plant-based burgers.
If you would like to make your own vegan Provolone, there are recipes available online, such as the one from So Radish. This recipe includes ingredients such as coconut milk, water, agar agar, tapioca starch, and liquid smoke. The recipe takes around 15 minutes to make and involves boiling the ingredients, pouring the mixture into a cheese mold, and then letting it cool and set.
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Provolone is buttery and Italian
Provolone is a semi-hard Italian cheese made from cow's milk. It is formed into a rounded tube or ball shape and sometimes has an inedible wax rind. It is a pulled-curd or "pasta filata" cheese, which means that the warm curds of cheese are pulled and stretched until they become elastic bands of cheese. These curds are then formed into wheels, brined in a salty bath, and aged. This process gives provolone a unique texture and flavour that is enhanced when the cheese is melted.
Provolone is one of the newer traditional Italian cheeses, popping up sometime around the 19th century and becoming a staple of Italian cuisine since. The term provolone (meaning 'large provola') appeared around the end of the 19th century when it started to be manufactured in the southern regions of Italy and assumed its current large size. The smaller-sized variant is called provola and comes in plain and smoked varieties. The most important provolone production region today is northwestern Italy, and, in particular, the city of Cremona.
Provolone is generally produced in three types: Dolce, Piccante, and American deli Provolone. Dolce is aged for two to three months and has a sweet and mild flavour. Provolone Dolce is a young cheese that’s only aged 2 or 3 months. It has a smoother and silkier texture and a mild, creamy flavour somewhat reminiscent of mozzarella. It is a great melting cheese, perfect for casseroles, sandwiches, and pizzas. Provolone Piccante, on the other hand, is aged for four months or longer, giving it a more pronounced flavour profile. It is buttery, with a sharp and slightly spicy taste. The longer ageing process intensifies the flavour, making it beefier and saltier than the Dolce variety. The spiciness of Provolone Piccante is attributed to the use of lipase derived from goats during the cheese-making process. This variety of provolone leaves a lingering prickly sensation on the tongue, adding to its overall spiciness.
Provolone is a versatile cheese that shines when melted. Its stretchy, elastic texture and intense flavour make it a delicious addition to sandwiches, casseroles, pizzas, and more. It is also sometimes grilled until partially melted and eaten as a starter, often seasoned with herbs.
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Frequently asked questions
No, provolone is a cheese made from cow's milk, so it is not dairy-free. However, it has a very low lactose content, making it suitable for most people with lactose intolerance.
Lactose is a sugar found in milk, cheese, and other dairy products. Lactose intolerance is a digestive condition that occurs when the body lacks the enzyme lactase, which breaks down lactose.
Yes, there are dairy-free and vegan alternatives to provolone cheese available, such as Violife's Smoked Provolone Slices and Follow Your Heart's Provolone-Style cheese. These products are made from plant-based ingredients like coconut oil and potato protein.
