Crescenza Cheese vs Fontina Cheese

Crescenza Cheese is a very soft, creamy cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Fontina Cheese is semi-soft and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

What Is Crescenza Cheese?

Crescenza, also called stracchino, is an Italian cow's milk cheese from Lombardy, Tuscany, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Liguria. It is eaten very young and known for a rindless, very soft and creamy body with a mild, slightly acidic flavor.

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 Crescenza Cheese and Fontina Cheese?

• Texture: Crescenza Cheese (very soft, creamy), Fontina Cheese (Semi-Soft)
• Rind: Crescenza Cheese (none), Fontina Cheese (Natural, Often Washed)
• Aging: Crescenza Cheese (eaten very young), Fontina Cheese (Typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor))
• Taste: Crescenza Cheese (mild, slightly acidic), Fontina Cheese (Mild, Buttery, Nutty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Crescenza Cheese Taste Like Fontina Cheese?

Crescenza Cheese reads as mild, slightly acidic, while Fontina Cheese brings mild, buttery, nutty character. Aging plays into this as well. Crescenza Cheese at eaten very young develops a different profile than Fontina Cheese at typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor).

Can You Substitute Crescenza Cheese for Fontina Cheese?

In most recipes, Crescenza Cheese and Fontina Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect very soft, creamy bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft. Flavor-wise, Crescenza Cheese reads as mild, slightly acidic while Fontina Cheese brings mild, buttery, nutty notes.

Which Is Better, Crescenza Cheese or Fontina Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a very soft, creamy cheese, go with Crescenza Cheese. For a semi-soft profile, Fontina Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Crescenza Cheese suits recipes that want mild, slightly acidic notes, while Fontina Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, buttery, nutty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Crescenza Cheese the same as Fontina Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Crescenza Cheese is typically aged eaten very young, Fontina Cheese typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor).

Is Crescenza Cheese similar to Fontina Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Crescenza Cheese for Fontina Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Crescenza Cheese taste like Fontina Cheese?

Crescenza Cheese reads as mild, slightly acidic, while Fontina Cheese is mild, buttery, nutty.

What is Crescenza Cheese made of?

Crescenza Cheese is made from cow milk. It's typically aged eaten very young. It originates in Italy.

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, Crescenza Cheese or Fontina Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Crescenza Cheese is very soft, creamy, while Fontina Cheese is semi-soft.