Brie Cheese vs Fontina Cheese
Brie Cheese
Fontina Cheese
Brie Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Fontina Cheese is semi-soft and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Brie Cheese?
Brie is a soft cow's milk cheese named after the French region it comes from, pale under a white mould rind. It runs 60 to 75 percent butterfat and tastes creamy, nutty and mushroom-like, with a faint acidity. The rind is eaten along with the paste.
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 Brie Cheese and Fontina Cheese?
- Origin: Brie Cheese (France), Fontina Cheese (Italy)
- Texture: Brie Cheese (Soft), Fontina Cheese (Semi-Soft)
- Rind: Brie Cheese (Bloomy), Fontina Cheese (Natural, Often Washed)
- Aging: Brie Cheese (at least 4 to 5 weeks; several months to a year for brie noir), Fontina Cheese (Typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor))
- Taste: Brie Cheese (Nutty, Mushroom), Fontina Cheese (Mild, Buttery, Nutty)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Brie Cheese | Fontina Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Brie | Aosta Valley, Italy |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw, Pasteurized | Raw (for traditional Italian Fontina), Pasteurized (for most American versions) |
| Texture | Soft | Semi-Soft |
| Rind | Bloomy | Natural, Often Washed |
| Aging | At least 4 to 5 weeks; several months to a year for brie noir | Typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor) |
| Taste | Nutty, Mushroom | Mild, Buttery, Nutty |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese: wines, foods, breads and more.
| Brie Cheese | Fontina Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Pairs well with | Apples, Apricot, Asian Pear, Asti Spumante, Beaujolais, Belgian Blonde, Bresaola, Cabernet Franc, California Viogniers, Cava, Champagne, Crackers and more | Chardonnay, Grilled Cheese, Macaroni and Cheese, Mushrooms, Prosciutto, Sangiovese |
Taste Comparison: Does Brie Cheese Taste Like Fontina Cheese?
Brie Cheese reads as nutty, mushroom, while Fontina Cheese brings mild, buttery, nutty character. On the nose, Brie Cheese offers ammoniated when overripe, contrasted with Fontina Cheese's mild to pungent (earthier in aged versions). More specifically, Brie Cheese shows creamy, nutty, mushroom-like, slightly acidic, while Fontina Cheese leans toward buttery, earthy, mildly nutty, slightly fruity. Aging plays into this as well. Brie Cheese at at least 4 to 5 weeks; several months to a year for brie noir develops a different profile than Fontina Cheese at typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor).
Can You Substitute Brie Cheese for Fontina Cheese?
In most recipes, Brie Cheese and Fontina Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect soft bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft. Flavor-wise, Brie Cheese reads as nutty, mushroom while Fontina Cheese brings mild, buttery, nutty notes.
Which Is Better, Brie Cheese or Fontina Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft cheese, go with Brie Cheese. For a semi-soft profile, Fontina Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brie Cheese suits recipes that want nutty, mushroom notes, while Fontina Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, buttery, nutty.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brie Cheese the same as Fontina Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Brie Cheese originates in France, while Fontina Cheese comes from Italy. Aging also differs: Brie Cheese is typically aged at least 4 to 5 weeks; several months to a year for brie noir, Fontina Cheese typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor).
Is Brie Cheese similar to Fontina Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Brie Cheese for Fontina Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Brie Cheese taste like Fontina Cheese?
Brie Cheese reads as nutty, mushroom, while Fontina Cheese is mild, buttery, nutty. Aromas also diverge. Brie Cheese leans ammoniated when overripe, and Fontina Cheese is closer to mild to pungent (earthier in aged versions).
What is Brie Cheese made of?
Brie Cheese is made from cow milk (raw, pasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged at least 4 to 5 weeks; several months to a year for brie noir. It originates in France.
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, Brie Cheese or Fontina Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brie Cheese is soft, while Fontina Cheese is semi-soft.