Blue Cheese vs Fontal Cheese

Q: Is Blue Cheese the same as Fontal Cheese?

No. Blue Cheese and Fontal Cheese are distinct cheeses from France and Italy respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Blue Cheese for Fontal Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Blue Cheese for Fontal Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Does Blue Cheese taste like Fontal Cheese?

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

Q: Which should I choose, Blue 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.

Blue Cheese

Fontal Cheese

Blue Cheese is a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from France, while Fontal Cheese is a cow-milk cheese, originating in Italy.

What Is Blue Cheese?

Blue cheese is any cheese made with edible mold cultures that form blue-green spots and veins through the paste. It ranges from mild and slightly sweet to salty and sharp, and from almost liquid to hard.

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 Blue Cheese and Fontal Cheese?

Origin: Blue Cheese (France), Fontal Cheese (Italy)
Milk type: Blue Cheese (Cow, Sheep, Goat), Fontal Cheese (cow)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Blue Cheese	Fontal Cheese
Country of Origin	France	Italy
Specific Origin	—	Italy
Milk Type	Cow, Sheep, Goat	Cow
Milk Treatment	Pasteurized or Raw	—
Texture	Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft	—
Rind	Natural	—
Aging	Typically aged 2-6 months	—
Taste	Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent	—

Taste Comparison: Does Blue Cheese Taste Like Fontal Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct.

Can You Substitute Blue Cheese for Fontal Cheese?

Blue Cheese can stand in for Fontal Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.

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

No, they're distinct cheeses. Blue Cheese originates in France, while Fontal Cheese comes from Italy. Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Fontal Cheese uses cow.

Is Blue Cheese similar to Fontal Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Blue Cheese for Fontal Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Blue Cheese taste like Fontal Cheese?

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

What is Blue Cheese made of?

Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (pasteurized or raw), using traditional (animal rennet) or microbial (varies by producer) rennet. It's typically aged typically aged 2-6 months. It originates in France.

What is Fontal Cheese made of?

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

Which should I choose, Blue Cheese or Fontal Cheese?

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