American Cheese vs Asiago Cheese

American Cheese is a semi-soft, processed cow-milk cheese from United States, while Asiago Cheese is semi-hard, crumbly and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

What Is American Cheese?

American cheese is a processed cheese made from cheddar, Colby, or similar cheeses with sodium citrate added so it pasteurizes without separating. It is mild, salty, and medium-firm, and it melts at a low temperature, which is why it lands on burgers and in grilled cheese.

What Is Asiago Cheese?

Asiago is a cow's milk cheese from the Asiago plateau in Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy, made either young and soft (Asiago pressato) or aged and crumbly (Asiago d'allevo). It carries Italian DOP status, though the name is treated as generic in the U.S. and Australia.

What's the Difference Between American Cheese and Asiago Cheese?

• Origin: American Cheese (United States), Asiago Cheese (Italy)
• Milk treatment: American Cheese (pastuerized), Asiago Cheese (raw (Asiago d'allevo))
• Texture: American Cheese (Semi-soft, processed), Asiago Cheese (Semi-hard, crumbly)
• Rind: American Cheese (rindless), Asiago Cheese (thin, elastic (Asiago pressato))
• Taste: American Cheese (mild, salty), Asiago Cheese (sweetish when young, bitter and spicy when very old)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does American Cheese Taste Like Asiago Cheese?

American Cheese reads as mild, salty, while Asiago Cheese brings sweetish when young, bitter and spicy when very old character. More specifically, American Cheese shows neutral and mild, salty, pairs with a range of meats and other ingredients, while Asiago Cheese leans toward mezzano sweetish, vecchio bitter, stravecchio bitter and spicy.

Can You Substitute American Cheese for Asiago Cheese?

In most recipes, American Cheese and Asiago Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect semi-soft, processed bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard, crumbly. Flavor-wise, American Cheese reads as mild, salty while Asiago Cheese brings sweetish when young, bitter and spicy when very old notes.

Which Is Better, American Cheese or Asiago Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-soft, processed cheese, go with American Cheese. For a semi-hard, crumbly profile, Asiago Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, American Cheese suits recipes that want mild, salty notes, while Asiago Cheese fits dishes calling for sweetish when young, bitter and spicy when very old.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is American Cheese the same as Asiago Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. American Cheese originates in United States, while Asiago Cheese comes from Italy.

Is American Cheese similar to Asiago Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute American Cheese for Asiago Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does American Cheese taste like Asiago Cheese?

American Cheese reads as mild, salty, while Asiago Cheese is sweetish when young, bitter and spicy when very old.

What is American Cheese made of?

American Cheese is made from cow milk (pastuerized). It originates in United States.

What is Asiago Cheese made of?

Asiago Cheese is made from cow milk (raw (asiago d'allevo)), using rennet. It's typically aged 20 to 40 days fresh; 60 days to 15 months or more aged. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, American Cheese or Asiago Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. American Cheese is semi-soft, processed, while Asiago Cheese is semi-hard, crumbly.