Provolone Cheese

Provolone cheese is an Italian cheese with a firm texture and mild flavor. It is similar in taste and texture to mozzarella cheese. Provolone cheese comes in both affordable and gourmet aged varieties.

Features

Provolone cheese is typically light yellow, though smoked varieties are golden brown. It can be made from cow or buffalo milk.

Geography

Authentic provolone cheese is produced in the southern regions of Italy, especially in the provinces of Brescia, Piacenza and Cremona.

Types

There are two main types of provolone cheese: dolce and piccante. Dolce provolone is a mild version that is aged for two months, while piccante provolone is aged for up to one year and has a more intense flavor.

Preparation

According to the American Dairy Association, provolone cheese is often made into pear-shaped loaves and hung upside down to dry before being packaged.

Uses

Due to its mild, buttery flavor, provolone cheese is versatile and is often sliced and used for sandwiches, grated onto soups, pizza or salads, or melted into a sauce.

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