Baladi Cheese vs Fontal Cheese
Baladi Cheese is a fresh soft, artisan cow, goat, and sheep-milk cheese from Lebanon and Middle East, while Fontal Cheese is a cow-milk cheese, originating in Italy.
What Is Baladi Cheese?
Baladi is a soft white cheese from the Middle East, made from a mixture of goat, cow and sheep milk. It is fresh, unpasteurized, rindless and mild yet rich in flavor, with a shelf life of only about three days.
What Is Fontal Cheese?
Fontal is one of the names that grew out of fontina, the cow's milk cheese first produced in Italy. Cheeses under derivative names like fontal are made in other parts of Italy and in Denmark, Sweden, Quebec, France, Argentina, and the United States.
What's the Difference Between Baladi Cheese and Fontal Cheese?
- Origin: Baladi Cheese (Lebanon and Middle East), Fontal Cheese (Italy)
- Milk type: Baladi Cheese (cow's, goat's and sheep's milk), Fontal Cheese (cow)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Baladi Cheese | Fontal Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Lebanon And Middle East | Italy |
| Specific Origin | The Middle East | Italy |
| Milk Type | Cow's, goat's and sheep's milk | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | — |
| Texture | Fresh soft, artisan | — |
| Rind | Rindless | — |
| Taste | Buttery, mild, salty, sweet | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Baladi Cheese Taste Like Fontal Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Baladi Cheese for Fontal Cheese?
Baladi Cheese can stand in for Fontal Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Baladi Cheese or Fontal Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Baladi Cheese the same as Fontal Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Baladi Cheese originates in Lebanon and Middle East, while Fontal Cheese comes from Italy. Baladi Cheese is made from cow, goat, and sheep milk; Fontal Cheese uses cow.
Is Baladi Cheese similar to Fontal Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Baladi Cheese for Fontal Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Baladi Cheese taste like Fontal Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Baladi Cheese made of?
Baladi Cheese is made from cow, goat, and sheep milk (unpasteurized), using added in powder or tablet form rennet. It originates in Lebanon and Middle East.
What is Fontal Cheese made of?
Fontal Cheese is made from cow milk. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Baladi Cheese or Fontal Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.