Asiago Cheese vs Bread Cheese
Asiago Cheese
Bread Cheese
Asiago Cheese is a cheese from Italy, while Bread Cheese is squeaky and made from cow or goat milk, originating in Finland.
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 Is Bread Cheese?
Bread cheese, or leipäjuusto, is a Finnish fresh cheese traditionally made from cow's colostrum and baked until the surface browns. It has a mild flavor, squeaks against the teeth, and is usually eaten in slices with coffee.
What's the Difference Between Asiago Cheese and Bread Cheese?
- Origin: Asiago Cheese (Italy), Bread Cheese (Finland)
- Aging: Asiago Cheese (20 to 40 days fresh; 60 days to 15 months or more aged), Bread Cheese (fresh)
- Taste: Asiago Cheese (sweetish when young, bitter and spicy when very old), Bread Cheese (mild)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Asiago Cheese | Bread Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Finland |
| Specific Origin | Veneto And Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy | Southern Ostrobothnia, Northern Finland And Kainuu, Finland |
| Milk Type | — | Cow, goat |
| Milk Treatment | Raw (Asiago d'allevo) | — |
| Texture | — | Squeaky |
| Rind | Thin, elastic (Asiago pressato) | — |
| Aging | 20 to 40 days fresh; 60 days to 15 months or more aged | Fresh |
| Taste | Sweetish when young, bitter and spicy when very old | Mild |
Taste Comparison: Does Asiago Cheese Taste Like Bread Cheese?
Asiago Cheese reads as sweetish when young, bitter and spicy when very old, while Bread Cheese brings mild character. Aging plays into this as well. Asiago Cheese at 20 to 40 days fresh; 60 days to 15 months or more aged develops a different profile than Bread Cheese at fresh.
Can You Substitute Asiago Cheese for Bread Cheese?
Asiago Cheese can stand in for Bread Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Flavor-wise, Asiago Cheese reads as sweetish when young, bitter and spicy when very old while Bread Cheese brings mild notes.
Which Is Better, Asiago Cheese or Bread Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. Flavor-wise, Asiago Cheese suits recipes that want sweetish when young, bitter and spicy when very old notes, while Bread Cheese fits dishes calling for mild.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Asiago Cheese the same as Bread Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Asiago Cheese originates in Italy, while Bread Cheese comes from Finland. Aging also differs: Asiago Cheese is typically aged 20 to 40 days fresh; 60 days to 15 months or more aged, Bread Cheese fresh.
Is Asiago Cheese similar to Bread Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Asiago Cheese for Bread Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in flavor and finish.
Does Asiago Cheese taste like Bread Cheese?
Asiago Cheese reads as sweetish when young, bitter and spicy when very old, while Bread Cheese is mild.
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.
What is Bread Cheese made of?
Bread Cheese is made from cow or goat milk. It's typically aged fresh. It originates in Finland.
Which should I choose, Asiago Cheese or Bread Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.