Cheese Database

Pizza cheese vs Provolone

Pizza cheese

Facts

Texture
Semi-soft
Rind
No rind
Country
United States

Pizza cheese is a commercial category from the United States, made to melt, stretch, and brown on a pizza. The name covers more than one product. The usual form is a drier stretched-curd cheese in the manner of mozzarella, sold in blocks or shreds. Some versions are blends, and some are processed products built only for the oven. It is not a farmhouse wheel from one valley, and factories design it for pizzerias and for frozen pies.

Provolone, field guide plate
Provolone, photographed

Provolone

Facts

Milk
Cow
Texture
Semi-hard
Type
Stretched curd
Rind
Waxed or sealed
Country
Italy
Place
Southern Italy

Provolone is a stretched-curd cow's-milk cheese from southern Italy that is hung and aged. Dolce is young and mild. Piccante is older and sharper.