Cream Cheese vs Fontal Cheese

Q: Is Cream Cheese the same as Fontal Cheese?

No. Cream Cheese and Fontal Cheese are distinct cheeses from United States and Italy respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Cream Cheese for Fontal Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Cream Cheese for Fontal Cheese, though the result will shift in flavor and finish.

Q: Does Cream Cheese taste like Fontal Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. See the side-by-side table above for details.

Q: Which should I choose, Cream Cheese or Fontal Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Cream Cheese

Fontal Cheese

Cream Cheese is a fresh soft, processed cow-milk cheese from United States, while Fontal Cheese is a cow-milk cheese, originating in Italy.

What Is Cream Cheese?

Cream cheese is a soft, mild fresh cheese made from milk and cream, sold unripened rather than aged. It began in Chester, New York in the 1870s and is best known as the spread on a bagel.

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 Cream Cheese and Fontal Cheese?

Origin: Cream Cheese (United States), Fontal Cheese (Italy)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Cream Cheese	Fontal Cheese
Country of Origin	United States	Italy
Specific Origin	Chester, New York, The U.S.	Italy
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Cow
Milk Treatment	Pasteurized or unpasteurized	—
Texture	Fresh soft, processed	—
Rind	Rindless	—
Aging	Unripened, eaten fresh	—
Taste	Creamy, mild, sweet	—

Taste Comparison: Does Cream Cheese Taste Like Fontal Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct.

Can You Substitute Cream Cheese for Fontal Cheese?

In most recipes, Cream Cheese and Fontal Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over.

Which Is Better, Cream 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 Cream Cheese the same as Fontal Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Cream Cheese originates in United States, while Fontal Cheese comes from Italy.

Is Cream Cheese similar to Fontal Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Cream Cheese for Fontal Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in flavor and finish.

Does Cream Cheese taste like Fontal Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.

What is Cream Cheese made of?

Cream Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized), using animal (chymosin, pepsin, rennet) in canada rennet. It's typically aged unripened, eaten fresh. It originates in United States.

What is Fontal Cheese made of?

Fontal Cheese is made from cow milk. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Cream Cheese or Fontal Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.