Bread Cheese vs Fontina Cheese

Bread Cheese is a squeaky cow or goat-milk cheese from Finland, while Fontina Cheese is semi-soft and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

What Is Bread Cheese?

Bread cheese, or leipäjuusto, is a Finnish fresh cheese traditionally made from cow's colostrum and baked until the surface browns. It has a mild flavor, squeaks against the teeth, and is usually eaten in slices with coffee.

What Is Fontina Cheese?

Fontina is a cow's milk cheese from Italy's Aosta Valley, made there since the 12th century. It runs semisoft to hard, tastes creamy and nutty with earthy, mushroomy notes, and melts well enough to carry a fondue.

What's the Difference Between Bread Cheese and Fontina Cheese?

• Origin: Bread Cheese (Finland), Fontina Cheese (Italy)
• Milk type: Bread Cheese (cow, goat), Fontina Cheese (cow's milk)
• Texture: Bread Cheese (squeaky), Fontina Cheese (Semi-Soft)
• Aging: Bread Cheese (fresh), Fontina Cheese (Typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor))
• Taste: Bread Cheese (mild), Fontina Cheese (Mild, Buttery, Nutty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Bread Cheese Taste Like Fontina Cheese?

Bread Cheese reads as mild, while Fontina Cheese brings mild, buttery, nutty character. On the nose, Bread Cheese offers appetizing when heated, contrasted with Fontina Cheese's mild to pungent (earthier in aged versions). Aging plays into this as well. Bread Cheese at fresh develops a different profile than Fontina Cheese at typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor).

Can You Substitute Bread Cheese for Fontina Cheese?

Bread Cheese can stand in for Fontina Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect squeaky bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft. Flavor-wise, Bread Cheese reads as mild while Fontina Cheese brings mild, buttery, nutty notes.

Which Is Better, Bread Cheese or Fontina Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a squeaky cheese, go with Bread Cheese. For a semi-soft profile, Fontina Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Bread Cheese suits recipes that want mild notes, while Fontina Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, buttery, nutty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bread Cheese the same as Fontina Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Bread Cheese originates in Finland, while Fontina Cheese comes from Italy. Bread Cheese is made from cow or goat milk; Fontina Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Bread Cheese is typically aged fresh, Fontina Cheese typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor).

Is Bread Cheese similar to Fontina Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Bread Cheese for Fontina Cheese?

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

Does Bread Cheese taste like Fontina Cheese?

Bread Cheese reads as mild, while Fontina Cheese is mild, buttery, nutty. Aromas also diverge. Bread Cheese leans appetizing when heated, and Fontina Cheese is closer to mild to pungent (earthier in aged versions).

What is Bread Cheese made of?

Bread Cheese is made from cow or goat milk. It's typically aged fresh. It originates in Finland.

What is Fontina Cheese made of?

Fontina Cheese is made from cow milk (raw (for traditional italian fontina), pasteurized (for most american versions)), using traditional (animal) or microbial (varies by producer) rennet. It's typically aged typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor). It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Bread Cheese or Fontina Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Bread Cheese is squeaky, while Fontina Cheese is semi-soft.