Bra Cheese vs Fontal Cheese
Bra Cheese
Fontal Cheese
Bra Cheese is a hard or semi-hard depending on aging cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Fontal Cheese is a cow-milk cheese, originating in Italy.
What Is Bra Cheese?
Bra is an Italian cheese from the town of Bra in the province of Cuneo, Piedmont. It is made mostly from cow's milk and sold either soft or hard, depending on how long it has aged, and it carries PDO status.
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 Bra Cheese and Fontal Cheese?
- Milk type: Bra Cheese (Cow's milk; optionally mixed with small quantities of sheep or goat milk), Fontal Cheese (cow)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Bra Cheese | Fontal Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Province Of Cuneo, Piedmont | Italy |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk; optionally mixed with small quantities of sheep or goat milk | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Raw or Pasteurized | — |
| Texture | Hard or semi-hard depending on aging | — |
| Rind | Natural | — |
| Aging | 45 days for Bra Tenero (soft) and at least 6 months for Bra Duro (hard) | — |
| Taste | Range from mild to piquant | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Bra Cheese Taste Like Fontal Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Bra Cheese for Fontal Cheese?
Bra Cheese can stand in for Fontal Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Bra 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 Bra Cheese the same as Fontal Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Bra Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Fontal Cheese uses cow.
Is Bra Cheese similar to Fontal Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Bra Cheese for Fontal Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Bra Cheese taste like Fontal Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Bra Cheese made of?
Bra Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (raw or pasteurized), using traditional calf rennet. It's typically aged 45 days for bra tenero (soft) and at least 6 months for bra duro (hard). It originates in Italy.
What is Fontal Cheese made of?
Fontal Cheese is made from cow milk. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Bra Cheese or Fontal Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.