Cheese Curds vs Fontal Cheese
Cheese Curds is a fresh firm cheese from Canada, India and United States, while Fontal Cheese is a cow-milk cheese, originating in Italy.
What Is Cheese Curds?
Cheese curds are moist pieces of curdled milk, eaten alone as a snack or cooked into dishes such as poutine. Fresh ones squeak against the teeth, which is how they earned the name squeaky cheese.
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 Cheese Curds and Fontal Cheese?
- Origin: Cheese Curds (Canada, India and United States), Fontal Cheese (Italy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cheese Curds | Fontal Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Canada, India And United States | Italy |
| Specific Origin | The U.S. And Canada | Italy |
| Milk Type | — | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | — |
| Texture | Fresh firm | — |
| Rind | Natural | — |
| Aging | Fresh, best within 12 hours | — |
| Taste | Mild, milky | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Cheese Curds Taste Like Fontal Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Cheese Curds for Fontal Cheese?
Cheese Curds can stand in for Fontal Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Cheese Curds 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 Cheese Curds the same as Fontal Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Cheese Curds originates in Canada, India and United States, while Fontal Cheese comes from Italy.
Is Cheese Curds similar to Fontal Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Cheese Curds for Fontal Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in flavor and finish.
Does Cheese Curds taste like Fontal Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Cheese Curds made of?
Cheese Curds is made from milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged fresh, best within 12 hours. It originates in Canada, India and United States.
What is Fontal Cheese made of?
Fontal Cheese is made from cow milk. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Cheese Curds or Fontal Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.