Provel cheese facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Provel cheese |
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Provel pasteurized processed cheese for pizza in a 5-pound block
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| Country of origin | United States |
| Town | St. Louis |
| Source of milk | Cows |
| Named after | Lua error in Module:Wikidata at line 70: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
Provel is a special kind of processed cheese that's super popular in St. Louis, a city in the United States. It's a mix of three different cheeses: cheddar, Swiss, and provolone. Provel melts very easily, so it becomes gooey and almost buttery, even at room temperature.
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What is Provel Cheese?
Provel cheese is known for its unique texture. Because it melts so well, it's the traditional cheese used on St. Louis-style pizza. This cheese is also often used in other dishes. You might find it in cheese soup, on salads, with chicken, or on a special sandwich called the Gerber sandwich. Some restaurants even use Provel in pasta dishes with white sauce instead of traditional Italian cheeses.
Where Can You Find Provel?
Provel cheese is very popular in the St. Louis area. However, it's not very common in other parts of the country. If you're outside St. Louis, you might be able to find Provel at Hy-Vee grocery stores. These stores are located throughout the Midwest region of the United States.
The Story Behind Provel
Provel cheese was created more than 50 years ago. It was made especially for St. Louis-style pizza. A company called Costa Grocery, which is now Roma Grocery, worked with the Hoffman Dairy Company from Wisconsin to invent it. Hoffman Dairy is now part of Kraft Foods.
Why Was Provel Invented?
The people who created Provel wanted a special pizza cheese. They wanted a cheese that would melt well but also break off cleanly when someone took a bite. This is sometimes called a "clean bite." It means the cheese doesn't stretch forever when you try to eat a slice of pizza.
How Did Provel Get Its Name?
No one is completely sure how Provel got its name. One popular idea is that it's a mix of the words "provolone" and "mozzarella." These are two other cheeses that Provel can sometimes replace. Another idea is that the name comes from "provolone," but with the "-one" taken off. This might be because Provel is made from more than one type of cheese.
Who Owns the Provel Name?
The name "Provel" has been a special trademark since 1947. A trademark protects a name or logo. Today, the trademark for Provel is owned by the Churny Company, Inc. This company is located in Glenview, Illinois. Churny is also part of Kraft Foods.
