American Cheese vs Asiago Cheese
American Cheese
Asiago Cheese
American Cheese is a semi-soft, processed cow-milk cheese from United States, while Asiago Cheese is , 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))
- 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
| American Cheese | Asiago Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | United States | Italy |
| Specific Origin | The U.S. | Veneto And Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | — |
| Milk Treatment | Pastuerized | Raw (Asiago d'allevo) |
| Texture | Semi-soft, processed | — |
| Rind | Rindless | Thin, elastic (Asiago pressato) |
| Aging | — | 20 to 40 days fresh; 60 days to 15 months or more aged |
| Taste | Mild, salty | Sweetish when young, bitter and spicy when very old |
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?
American Cheese can stand in for Asiago Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. 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. 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.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
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?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute American Cheese for Asiago Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in flavor and finish.
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 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 table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.