Brunost Cheese vs Montasio Cheese

Brunost Cheese is a semi-soft, whey cow and goat-milk cheese from Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, while Montasio Cheese is elastic to crumbly and hard and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

What Is Brunost Cheese?

Brunost is a Norwegian whey product made by boiling whey with milk and cream until the milk sugars caramelize. It is brown, sweet and firm enough to slice, and it is eaten like cheese on sandwiches, crispbread and waffles.

What Is Montasio Cheese?

Montasio is a cow's milk mountain cheese from Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Veneto in northeastern Italy, made on the Montasio plateau since 1200. It is semi-hard and creamy when young, and harder after longer aging.

What's the Difference Between Brunost Cheese and Montasio Cheese?

• Origin: Brunost Cheese (Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway and Sweden), Montasio Cheese (Italy)
• Milk type: Brunost Cheese (cow's and goat's milk), Montasio Cheese (cow's milk)
• Milk treatment: Brunost Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized), Montasio Cheese (unpasteurized)
• Texture: Brunost Cheese (semi-soft, whey), Montasio Cheese (Elastic to crumbly and hard)
• Aging: Brunost Cheese (unaged, ready once packed and refrigerated), Montasio Cheese (Fresco: 60-120 days; Mezzano: 120 days-10 months; Stagionato: 10-18 months; Stravecchio: over 18 months)
• Taste: Brunost Cheese (caramel, sweet), Montasio Cheese (Mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brunost Cheese Taste Like Montasio Cheese?

Brunost Cheese reads as caramel, sweet, while Montasio Cheese brings mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice character. More specifically, Brunost Cheese shows sweet, caramel-like, with a tang that is stronger in goat's milk versions, while Montasio Cheese leans toward evolves from mild, creamy, and fruity to fuller, more savory and piquant, with hints of spice as it ages. Aging plays into this as well. Brunost Cheese at unaged, ready once packed and refrigerated develops a different profile than Montasio Cheese at fresco: 60-120 days; mezzano: 120 days-10 months; stagionato: 10-18 months; stravecchio: over 18 months.

Can You Substitute Brunost Cheese for Montasio Cheese?

Brunost Cheese can stand in for Montasio Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semi-soft, whey bite and body where the recipe calls for elastic to crumbly and hard. Flavor-wise, Brunost Cheese reads as caramel, sweet while Montasio Cheese brings mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice notes.

Which Is Better, Brunost Cheese or Montasio Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-soft, whey cheese, go with Brunost Cheese. For a elastic to crumbly and hard profile, Montasio Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brunost Cheese suits recipes that want caramel, sweet notes, while Montasio Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brunost Cheese the same as Montasio Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brunost Cheese originates in Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, while Montasio Cheese comes from Italy. Brunost Cheese is made from cow and goat milk; Montasio Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Brunost Cheese is typically aged unaged, ready once packed and refrigerated, Montasio Cheese fresco: 60-120 days; mezzano: 120 days-10 months; stagionato: 10-18 months; stravecchio: over 18 months.

Is Brunost Cheese similar to Montasio Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brunost Cheese for Montasio Cheese?

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

Does Brunost Cheese taste like Montasio Cheese?

Brunost Cheese reads as caramel, sweet, while Montasio Cheese is mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice.

What is Brunost Cheese made of?

Brunost Cheese is made from cow and goat milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized). It's typically aged unaged, ready once packed and refrigerated. It originates in Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

What is Montasio Cheese made of?

Montasio Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged fresco: 60-120 days; mezzano: 120 days-10 months; stagionato: 10-18 months; stravecchio: over 18 months. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Brunost Cheese or Montasio Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brunost Cheese is semi-soft, whey, while Montasio Cheese is elastic to crumbly and hard.