Chimay Cheese vs Fontal Cheese
Chimay Cheese is a soft to hard depending on variety, creamy cheese from Belgium, while Fontal Cheese is a cow-milk cheese, originating in Italy.
What Is Chimay Cheese?
Chimay is a Belgian Trappist cheese made at Baileux, near the Abbey of Notre-Dame de Scourmont in Hainaut. It comes in several styles, including soft versions washed with Chimay Rouge or Bleue beer and a hard Vieux Chimay aged at least six months.
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 Chimay Cheese and Fontal Cheese?
- Origin: Chimay Cheese (Belgium), Fontal Cheese (Italy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Chimay Cheese | Fontal Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Belgium | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Baileux, Hainaut, Belgium | Italy |
| Milk Type | — | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | — |
| Texture | Soft to hard depending on variety, creamy | — |
| Rind | Washed, some varieties covered with a fine white bloom | — |
| Aging | 2 weeks to 6 months | — |
| Taste | Slightly bitter from the beer hops, nutty in aged versions | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Chimay Cheese Taste Like Fontal Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Chimay Cheese for Fontal Cheese?
Chimay Cheese can stand in for Fontal Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Chimay 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 Chimay Cheese the same as Fontal Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Chimay Cheese originates in Belgium, while Fontal Cheese comes from Italy.
Is Chimay Cheese similar to Fontal Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Chimay Cheese for Fontal Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in flavor and finish.
Does Chimay Cheese taste like Fontal Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Chimay Cheese made of?
Chimay Cheese is made from milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 2 weeks to 6 months. It originates in Belgium.
What is Fontal Cheese made of?
Fontal Cheese is made from cow milk. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Chimay Cheese or Fontal Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.