Andy Montoya
Provolone is an Italian semi-hard cheese with a rich, sharp, and tangy flavor. It is made from cow's milk or buffalo milk, or a mixture of the two. Provolone cheese is produced in various regions of Italy, with the most important production region being northwestern Italy, particularly the city of Cremona. It is also produced in other countries, including the United States, where it made up 2.5% of the country's cheese production in 2023. Provolone cheese can be found at specialty cheese shops, such as Shisler's Cheese House, and some supermarkets. It is commonly used in cooking, melted on sandwiches, pizzas, and pasta dishes, or grated over salads.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | Southern Italy |
| Type | Semi-hard cheese |
| Taste | Sharp, tangy, nutty, salty |
| Variants | Provolone Dolce (mild), Provolone Piccante (sharp) |
| Pairing | Dry rosé wine, fruity red wine, Chardonnay, pale ale |
| Recipes | Sandwiches, grilled cheese, casseroles, baked pasta, pizza, chicken provolone |
| Production | Northwestern Italy, Cremona, Campania |
| US production | 170,000 tonnes in 2023 (2.5% of US cheese production) |
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What You'll Learn
Provolone cheese shops in Italy
Provolone is one of Italy's most famous and versatile cheeses, with roots in the Po Valley of northern Italy. The cheese's popularity has led to new varieties, and today it comes in various shapes and sizes, from small, pear-shaped cheeses to large cylinders weighing up to 100 kg.
There are two main types of Provolone: Provolone Dolce (sweet) and Provolone Piccante (spicy). Dolce is the most popular type, with a mild, milky, and slightly nutty taste. It is aged for up to four months and is very versatile in cooking. You can use it in deli sandwiches, pasta, stuffed peppers, and salads. On the other hand, Piccante is a sharper and tangier version aged for six to twelve months, developing a strong and complex flavor.
If you're looking for Provolone cheese shops in Italy, here are some options:
- Frank and Sal Italian Market: This shop offers top-tier Italian Provolone cheese, made to their specifications by Soresina Dairy, the largest producer of Provolone cheese. They have two retail stores serving customers for over 25 years, ensuring top-notch quality and authenticity.
- Supermarket Italy: This store offers a large collection of imported Provolone cheeses, including popular brands like Auricchio, which produces various shapes and presentations like Cheese Ball and Rope and Salami-Shaped Rope.
- Mazzaro's: This shop, mentioned in Culture Cheese Mag, offers Italian Provolone that is aged "in-house." They have cheese teams that constantly taste and evaluate Provolones from different producers, so you can find a variety of options here.
- Local delis and cheese shops: Provolone is a common cheese in Italian delis worldwide, so you may be able to find it in smaller, local shops throughout Italy.
When buying Provolone, look for the PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) certification, which ensures the cheese is made in specific regions of Italy using traditional methods and approved milk sources. This label guarantees the cheese's origin, quality, and authenticity.
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Provolone cheese shops in the US
Provolone cheese is a popular cheese variety that can be found in many shops across the US. Here are some options for where to buy provolone cheese in the country:
Walmart
Walmart offers a range of provolone cheese products, including sliced, shredded, and diced options. The website also provides details on the weight and price of each product, making it convenient for customers to make informed purchases.
Amazon
Amazon is another online retailer that offers a selection of provolone cheeses. While specific brands and styles may vary, Amazon provides a convenient option for purchasing provolone cheese, with potential free shipping options.
Di Bruno Bros
Di Bruno Bros offers an imported, house-aged provolone cheese that is described as "sharp and delicious." This cheese is sourced from Lombardy and is a best-seller, recommended for pairing with cold beer. Their cheeses are hand-cut, resulting in weights that can fluctuate between 7oz and 9oz.
When shopping for provolone cheese in the US, it is beneficial to explore both online and physical retailers, as availability and selection may vary. These options provide a starting point for finding provolone cheese to suit your needs.
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Provolone cheese recipes
Provolone cheese is a semi-hard cheese with a sharp and tangy flavour, originating from Southern Italy. It is made from cow's milk, or sometimes buffalo milk or a mixture of the two. It is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed in many different ways.
Provolone Recipes
Provolone is a great cheese for melting, making it perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches. Try combining with jalapenos, roasted garlic, cream cheese, bacon and provolone for a sandwich with a kick. Alternatively, keep it simple with just mustard, mayo and fried mortadella.
Provolone is also a good choice for pizza, either as a substitute for mozzarella or as an additional topping. It can also be used to make pizza rolls: fill bread or biscuit dough with provolone and marinara, brush with melted butter and Italian herbs, then bake or freeze for later.
For a more substantial meal, provolone is a great choice for a topping on chicken or meatball sandwiches. It can also be used in casseroles, baked pasta dishes, or even stuffed pork chops.
If you're looking for a lighter option, provolone can be grated and sprinkled over salads. It also pairs well with fruit, so it can be enjoyed as part of a cheeseboard with apples, grapes or crackers.
Finally, provolone can even be incorporated into desserts, though specific recipes are harder to come by. In Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, and Uruguay, provolone is sometimes grilled until partially melted and served as a starter, often seasoned with herbs.
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Wine pairings for provolone cheese
Provolone cheese is a semi-hard cheese with a sharp and tangy flavour. It is made from cow's milk or buffalo milk, or a mixture of the two. It is produced mainly in the regions of Lombardia and Veneto in northwestern Italy. The most important provolone production region is the city of Cremona.
Provolone has two varieties: Dolce and Piccante. Dolce is the younger, milder version of Provolone, aged for two to three months. It has a pale yellow colour and a mild, creamy, and slightly sweet flavour. Piccante is the more mature and sharp version, aged for at least four months but often longer. It has a pale yellow to amber colour and a stronger, tangier flavour with a firm texture.
When pairing wine with Provolone, it is important to consider the cheese's versatility and simplicity. Provolone Dolce, for example, has a mild, milky flavour with nutty notes and a dense, moist texture. The wine should not overwhelm these delicate flavours but should refresh the palate between bites of cheese. Here are some specific wine varieties that pair well with Provolone:
- Italian White Wine: Italian white wines have nice acidity, which helps to cut through the richness of Provolone Dolce. They have enough body to match the cheese, and their flavours—including apricot, cut apple, and white flower notes—complement rather than compete with Provolone.
- Prosecco: Prosecco, a sparkling wine, also has high acidity that can complement Provolone Dolce. However, avoid Champagne or Cremant, as their toasty, brioche-like character might overpower the mild flavour of the cheese.
- Pinot Noir: A very light Pinot Noir with tart cranberry and cherry notes can match well with Provolone. It enhances the fruity character of the wine while complementing the mild and milky flavours of the cheese.
- Beaujolais: A light Beaujolais can be a good choice to pair with Provolone, as it has a fruity character that can complement the cheese.
- Chardonnay: If you prefer white wine, Chardonnay is a good choice. It will balance the mild saltiness of Provolone.
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Provolone cheese history
Provolone is an Italian semi-hard cheese with a sharp and tangy flavour, made from cow's milk. It is an aged pasta filata ('stretched-curd') cheese, originating in the Campania region, near Vesuvius, in Southern Italy. It is also produced in other regions of Italy and other countries. The name 'Provolone' first appeared in literature in 1871, in the "Vocabolario diagricoltura di Canevazzi-Mancini" (Cappelli, 1871). It means a 'large-sized provola' (a smaller-sized variant of the same cheese).
Provolone Valpadana, in particular, was born in the Po Valley in the second half of the 19th century, from the union of the dairy culture of 'spun paste' from southern Italy and the dairy vocation of the territory. The Cistercian monks' work in the territory between the rivers Lambro and Adda created the basis for a cereal-zootechnical production system, oriented towards dairy cattle rearing and cheese-making, which spread throughout the Po Valley.
Provolone Valpadana's spread throughout Italy was facilitated by the unification of Italy in 1861, which allowed entrepreneurs from the south to transfer their production activities to the provinces of Piacenza, Cremona, and Brescia, where it is still produced today. The Po Valley offers an abundance of milk suitable for cheese processing and the necessary infrastructure for quality production.
Today, the most important provolone production region is northwestern Italy, especially the city of Cremona. Provolone Valpadana and Provolone del Monaco (meaning 'monk's provolone' from the Naples area) have received the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) label from the European Union, ensuring they are produced in specific Italian regions using traditional ingredients and methods.
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Frequently asked questions
Provolone is an Italian cheese that is produced mainly in the regions of Lombardia and Veneto. The most important provolone production region is northwestern Italy, particularly the city of Cremona.
Provolone cheese is available at Shisler's Cheese House, located at 55 Kidron Rd. Orrville, OH 44667. It also makes up 2.5% of the cheese produced in the US, so you should be able to find it at most grocery stores.
Provolone-type cheeses are produced in Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, and Uruguay.
You can purchase provolone cheese online from the website cheese.com.
Provolone cheese is usually found in the specialty cheese section of the grocery store, often near the deli counter.
