Bergkäse Cheese vs Fontal Cheese

Q: Is Bergkäse Cheese the same as Fontal Cheese?

No. Bergkäse Cheese and Fontal Cheese are distinct cheeses. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Bergkäse Cheese for Fontal Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Bergkäse Cheese for Fontal Cheese, though the result will shift in flavor and finish.

Q: Does Bergkäse Cheese taste like Fontal Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. See the side-by-side table above for details.

Q: Which should I choose, Bergkäse Cheese or Fontal Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Bergkäse Cheese

Fontal Cheese

Bergkäse Cheese is a hard to semi-hard, sometimes with small holes or cracks cow-milk cheese, while Fontal Cheese is a cow-milk cheese, originating in Italy.

What Is Bergkäse Cheese?

Bergkäse, German for mountain cheese, is a group of Alpine cheeses made on mountain pastures and in local dairies. Most are hard or semi-hard with a natural rind, a strong and slightly nutty flavour, and few or no eyes.

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 Bergkäse Cheese and Fontal Cheese?

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Bergkäse Cheese	Fontal Cheese
Country of Origin	—	Italy
Specific Origin	The Alps	Italy
Milk Type	Cow	Cow
Milk Treatment	Raw	—
Texture	Hard to semi-hard, sometimes with small holes or cracks	—
Rind	Natural	—
Taste	Strong, often a bit nutty	—

Taste Comparison: Does Bergkäse Cheese Taste Like Fontal Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct.

Can You Substitute Bergkäse Cheese for Fontal Cheese?

In most recipes, Bergkäse Cheese and Fontal Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over.

Which Is Better, Bergkäse 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 Bergkäse Cheese the same as Fontal Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses.

Is Bergkäse Cheese similar to Fontal Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Bergkäse Cheese for Fontal Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in flavor and finish.

Does Bergkäse Cheese taste like Fontal Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.

What is Bergkäse Cheese made of?

Bergkäse Cheese is made from cow milk (raw).

What is Fontal Cheese made of?

Fontal Cheese is made from cow milk. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Bergkäse Cheese or Fontal Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.