Cream Havarti Cheese vs Fontina Cheese

Cream Havarti Cheese is a semi-soft cow-milk cheese from Denmark, while Fontina Cheese is semi-soft and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

What Is Cream Havarti Cheese?

Cream Havarti is a semi-soft cheese from Denmark, made with pasteurized cow's milk. Known for its creamy and smooth texture, it has a flavor profile that is buttery, creamy, and sweet. The cheese emits a sweet aroma that complements its mild taste, making it a popular choice for cheese boards or sandwiches. It is also referred to as Havarathi, Flødeis Havarti, or Smoked Havarti when variations are smoked to add a different flavor depth. Cream Havarti pairs well with fruits like apples or pears and can be melted in dishes for a rich, savory experience. Its approachable flavor makes it suitable for a wide range of culinary applications.

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 Cream Havarti Cheese and Fontina Cheese?

• Origin: Cream Havarti Cheese (Denmark), Fontina Cheese (Italy)
• Milk treatment: Cream Havarti Cheese (pasteurized), Fontina Cheese (Raw (for traditional Italian Fontina), Pasteurized (for most American versions))
• Taste: Cream Havarti Cheese (buttery, creamy, sweet), Fontina Cheese (Mild, Buttery, Nutty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Cream Havarti Cheese Taste Like Fontina Cheese?

Cream Havarti Cheese reads as buttery, creamy, sweet, while Fontina Cheese brings mild, buttery, nutty character. On the nose, Cream Havarti Cheese offers sweet, contrasted with Fontina Cheese's mild to pungent (earthier in aged versions).

Can You Substitute Cream Havarti Cheese for Fontina Cheese?

In most recipes, Cream Havarti Cheese and Fontina Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Flavor-wise, Cream Havarti Cheese reads as buttery, creamy, sweet while Fontina Cheese brings mild, buttery, nutty notes.

Which Is Better, Cream Havarti Cheese or Fontina Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. Flavor-wise, Cream Havarti Cheese suits recipes that want buttery, creamy, sweet notes, while Fontina Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, buttery, nutty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cream Havarti Cheese the same as Fontina Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Cream Havarti Cheese originates in Denmark, while Fontina Cheese comes from Italy.

Is Cream Havarti Cheese similar to Fontina Cheese?

Yes, they share close profiles. Same milk base and similar texture make them workable alternatives in many recipes.

Can I substitute Cream Havarti Cheese for Fontina Cheese?

Yes, quite easily. The milk base and texture are close enough that most recipes won't notice the swap.

Does Cream Havarti Cheese taste like Fontina Cheese?

Cream Havarti Cheese reads as buttery, creamy, sweet, while Fontina Cheese is mild, buttery, nutty. Aromas also diverge. Cream Havarti Cheese leans sweet, and Fontina Cheese is closer to mild to pungent (earthier in aged versions).

What is Cream Havarti Cheese made of?

Cream Havarti Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It originates in Denmark.

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, Cream Havarti Cheese or Fontina Cheese?

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