Provolone and American cheese are two of the most popular cheeses used in cooking and food preparation.
But what exactly sets provolone and American cheese apart?
Taste
One of the biggest differences between provolone and American cheese lies in their taste profiles.
Provolone Cheese Taste
Provolone has a rich, nutty, and tangy taste. There are two main varieties of provolone—piccante and dolce:
- Provolone piccante is aged for a minimum of 4 months, giving it a sharper, spicy flavor. This variety is often used for grating.
- Provolone dolce is aged for only 2-3 months and has a milder, sweeter taste. It's commonly used in sandwiches or on antipasto platters.
The longer provolone ages, the more complex its taste becomes. Even within the same variety, younger and older provolone can taste quite different.
Key Takeaway: Provolone has a tangy, nutty flavor that intensifies with age. Two varieties—piccante and dolce—offer spicy or sweet tastes.
American Cheese Taste
In contrast to provolone, American cheese has a very mild, creamy taste. It offers little flavor on its own.
Because it's a processed cheese product made from blends of milk, whey, and milkfat, American cheese lacks the complex tang and nuttiness that real cheeses like provolone possess.
The taste of American cheese is subtle enough that it tends to take on the flavors of other ingredients. Its mildness is a defining characteristic.
Key Takeaway: Unlike provolone, American cheese has a very mild, creamy taste that takes on the flavor of other ingredients easily.
Texture
Provolone and American cheese also differ considerably when it comes to texture:
Provolone Cheese Texture
Depending on variety and age, provolone generally has a dense, smooth texture with a slightly grainy feel.
- Young provolone is supple enough to slice thinly for sandwiches.
- Aged provolone becomes firmer and often develops small holes or cracks.
Provolone's texture makes it perfect for slicing, melting, grating, or eating as-is. It retains its shape well when cooked.
Key Takeaway: Provolone has a dense, smooth texture that can be sliced thinly or grated when firm. It holds its shape when melted.
American Cheese Texture
American cheese is known for its ultrasmooth, creamy, and melty texture. Thanks to emulsifiers, it has a:
- Homogenous texture with no grains or holes
- Soft and pliable feel at room temperature
- Gooey, stringy melt when heated
Its texture makes American cheese ideal for melting seamlessly into dips, sauces, macaroni and cheese, or grilled cheese sandwiches.
Key Takeaway: American cheese has an ultrasmooth, gooey texture perfect for melting applications like grilled cheese sandwiches.
Nutrition
When it comes to nutrition and health benefits, provolone and American cheese differ in a few key ways:
Provolone Nutrition
- High in protein - Great source of protein for building muscle.
- Rich in calcium - Excellent for bone health.
- Contains probiotics - Provides gut-healthy live cultures.
- Nutrient-dense - Packed with vitamins A, B2, B12, zinc, and selenium.
Provolone offers substantial nutritional value compared to many other cheeses. Eating it in moderation can provide protein, calcium, probiotics, and important vitamins.
Key Takeaway: Provolone cheese is high in protein, calcium, probiotics, and several vitamins that offer excellent nutritional value.
American Cheese Nutrition
- Higher in sodium - Contains almost double the sodium of provolone.
- More additives - Includes extra emulsifiers and preservatives.
- Often fortified - May have added vitamins like D and A.
- Lower in fat - Typically less fat per serving than regular cheese.
Since it's highly processed, American cheese lacks some of the natural nutrition of provolone. But it can be a good source of calcium and vitamin D when fortified.
Key Takeaway: American cheese is highly processed with more sodium and additives but less fat. It offers calcium and added vitamins when fortified.
Health Benefits
The nutrition profiles of provolone and American cheese lend themselves to certain health benefits:
Provolone Health Benefits
- Builds strong bones - The high calcium content promotes bone density.
- Supports immunity - Zinc and vitamin A boost the immune system.
- Aids digestion - Live cultures can improve gut health and digestion.
- Controls blood pressure - Provolone contains less sodium than American cheese.
Thanks to its impressive nutritional profile, eating provolone cheese provides some solid health perks. Moderation is key to reap these benefits.
Key Takeaway: Provolone improves bone strength, immunity, digestion, and blood pressure when consumed in moderation as part of a healthy diet.
American Cheese Health Benefits
- Rich in calcium and vitamin D - Helps maintain bone mineral density when fortified.
- Contains probiotics - Some varieties have live and active cultures.
- Lower in fat - Less fatty than regular cheeses, so may benefit heart health.
- Provides protein - Good source of protein for maintaining muscle.
American cheese offers a few health upsides too, especially calcium and vitamin D for bone strength. But its highly processed nature limits benefits.
Key Takeaway: Fortified American cheese provides calcium for bones, protein for muscles, and potentially probiotics. But it has less overall nutrition than provolone.
Cost
You can expect a noticeable difference when it comes to the cost of provolone vs. American cheese:
Provolone Cost
As an artisanal Italian cheese made from cow's milk, provolone is more expensive than common cheeses like American.
Expect to pay:
- $15-$20 per pound for high-quality provolone
- $7-$12 per pound for pre-grated or pre-sliced options
Its cost reflects the effort that goes into making provolone cheese using traditional techniques.
Key Takeaway: Due to its specialized production, provolone cheese costs between $15-$20 per pound, more than most common cheeses.
American Cheese Cost
Since it's made from cheese byproducts and additives, American cheese is very inexpensive in comparison.
Typical prices are:
- $3-$7 per pound for generic brands
- $1-$3 for a pack of individually wrapped slices
Its highly efficient mechanical production keeps costs down. American cheese offers an affordable cheese option.
Key Takeaway: Thanks to factory efficiency, American cheese only costs $3-$7 per pound generally, much less than most varieties.
Popularity
Finally, provolone and American cheese differ in their culinary popularity:
Provolone Popularity
In Italian cooking, provolone is a staple ingredient, especially in the South. Ways it shines:
- On antipasto platters
- Melted on pizza
- Shaved over pasta dishes
- In Italian sandwiches or paninis
Foodies also love provolone for its artisanal production and complex flavor. It brings authenticity to Italian cuisine.
Key Takeaway: In Italian cooking, provolone is a popular cheese used in appetizers, entrées, and sandwiches to provide signature flavor.
American Cheese Popularity
American cheese dominates in highly processed and fast foods, offering consistent results:
- On cheeseburgers and sandwiches
- In boxed macaroni and cheese
- Melted into creamy dips or sauces
- In packaged snack foods and crackers
Its mild flavor, smooth melt, and low cost make American cheese ever-present in kid-friendly and convenience foods.
Key Takeaway: American cheese is ubiquitous in fast food, snacks, and boxed dishes, thanks to its melty texture and inexpensive cost.
FAQs
Is provolone healthier than American cheese?
Yes, provolone tends to be healthier overall. It contains more natural nutrition like protein, calcium, and probiotics. American cheese is more processed with added sodium and emulsifiers.
Can you substitute provolone for American cheese?
You can substitute provolone for American cheese in most recipes, though the flavor and texture will differ. Provolone may overpower delicate recipes. Adjust salt since provolone has less sodium.
What's the difference between provolone and mozzarella?
While both Italian cheeses, provolone has a firmer texture and more pungent flavor. Mozzarella is softer and mildly milky tasting. Melted mozzarella gets stringy, unlike smooth provolone.
Is provolone better for paninis than American cheese?
Yes, provolone often makes better paninis than American cheese. Provolone offers a sharper, more complex flavor that enhances sandwich ingredients. American cheese can become overly greasy when griddled.
Can I use white American cheese instead of provolone?
You can, but the flavor will be much milder and less tangy. White American lacks the nutty, salty punch of aged provolone. Texture may also be creamier and melt faster than provolone.
Conclusion
While American cheese and provolone both melt well, provolone boasts a far richer flavor and creamy texture. It also offers more nutritional benefits thanks to its artisanal production.
However, American cheese has a place in cooking too, providing creamy smooth texture and melty stretch at a cheap price point.