Asiago Cheese vs Crème Fraîche Cheese
Asiago Cheese
Crème Fraîche Cheese
Asiago Cheese is a cheese from Italy, while Crème Fraîche Cheese is thick, highly viscous, originating in France.
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 Crème Fraîche Cheese?
Crème fraîche is a French soured cream made from cream and a bacterial culture, with 10 to 45% butterfat and a pH near 4.5. It is less sour than sour cream, and its fat content keeps it from curdling in hot sauces.
What's the Difference Between Asiago Cheese and Crème Fraîche Cheese?
- Origin: Asiago Cheese (Italy), Crème Fraîche Cheese (France)
- Taste: Asiago Cheese (sweetish when young, bitter and spicy when very old), Crème Fraîche Cheese (mildly sour)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Asiago Cheese | Crème Fraîche Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | France |
| Specific Origin | Veneto And Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy | Normandy, France |
| Milk Treatment | Raw (Asiago d'allevo) | — |
| Texture | — | Thick, highly viscous |
| Rind | Thin, elastic (Asiago pressato) | — |
| Aging | 20 to 40 days fresh; 60 days to 15 months or more aged | — |
| Taste | Sweetish when young, bitter and spicy when very old | Mildly sour |
Taste Comparison: Does Asiago Cheese Taste Like Crème Fraîche Cheese?
Asiago Cheese reads as sweetish when young, bitter and spicy when very old, while Crème Fraîche Cheese brings mildly sour character. More specifically, Asiago Cheese shows mezzano sweetish, vecchio bitter, stravecchio bitter and spicy, while Crème Fraîche Cheese leans toward cultured taste from lactococcus bacteria, less sour than sour cream.
Can You Substitute Asiago Cheese for Crème Fraîche Cheese?
Asiago Cheese can stand in for Crème Fraîche 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 Crème Fraîche Cheese brings mildly sour notes.
Which Is Better, Asiago Cheese or Crème Fraîche 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 Crème Fraîche Cheese fits dishes calling for mildly sour.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Asiago Cheese the same as Crème Fraîche Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Asiago Cheese originates in Italy, while Crème Fraîche Cheese comes from France.
Is Asiago Cheese similar to Crème Fraîche Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Asiago Cheese for Crème Fraîche Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in flavor and finish.
Does Asiago Cheese taste like Crème Fraîche Cheese?
Asiago Cheese reads as sweetish when young, bitter and spicy when very old, while Crème Fraîche Cheese is mildly sour.
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 Crème Fraîche Cheese made of?
Crème Fraîche Cheese is made from milk. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Asiago Cheese or Crème Fraîche Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.