Domiati Cheese vs Fontina Cheese

Domiati Cheese is a soft cow, goat, or buffalo-milk cheese from Egypt, while Fontina Cheese is semi-soft and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

What Is Domiati Cheese?

Domiati is the most common cheese in Egypt, a soft white salty cheese usually made from buffalo or cow milk. Salt goes into the milk before the rennet, which sets it apart from feta and gives the cheese its sharp, pickled character.

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 Domiati Cheese and Fontina Cheese?

• Origin: Domiati Cheese (Egypt), Fontina Cheese (Italy)
• Milk type: Domiati Cheese (Water buffalo's milk, sometimes with cow's or goat's milk), Fontina Cheese (Cow's milk)
• Milk treatment: Domiati Cheese (Pasteurized), Fontina Cheese (Raw (for traditional Italian Fontina), Pasteurized (for most American versions))
• Texture: Domiati Cheese (Soft), Fontina Cheese (Semi-soft)
• Rind: Domiati Cheese (None), Fontina Cheese (Natural, Often Washed)
• Aging: Domiati Cheese (Fresh or 3-4 months pickled), Fontina Cheese (Typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor))
• Taste: Domiati Cheese (Salty), Fontina Cheese (Mild, Buttery, Nutty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Domiati Cheese Taste Like Fontina Cheese?

Domiati Cheese reads as salty, while Fontina Cheese brings mild, buttery, nutty character. More specifically, Domiati Cheese shows salty, chewy, similar to feta but with salting occurring before renneting, while Fontina Cheese leans toward buttery, earthy, mildly nutty, slightly fruity. Aging plays into this as well. Domiati Cheese at fresh or 3-4 months pickled develops a different profile than Fontina Cheese at typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor).

Can You Substitute Domiati Cheese for Fontina Cheese?

Domiati Cheese can stand in for Fontina Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft. Flavor-wise, Domiati Cheese reads as salty while Fontina Cheese brings mild, buttery, nutty notes.

Which Is Better, Domiati Cheese or Fontina Cheese?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Domiati Cheese the same as Fontina Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Domiati Cheese originates in Egypt, while Fontina Cheese comes from Italy. Domiati Cheese is made from cow, goat, or buffalo milk; Fontina Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Domiati Cheese is typically aged fresh or 3-4 months pickled, Fontina Cheese typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor).

Is Domiati Cheese similar to Fontina Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Domiati Cheese for Fontina Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Domiati Cheese taste like Fontina Cheese?

Domiati Cheese reads as salty, while Fontina Cheese is mild, buttery, nutty.

What is Domiati Cheese made of?

Domiati Cheese is made from cow, goat, or buffalo milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged fresh or 3-4 months pickled. It originates in Egypt.

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, Domiati Cheese or Fontina Cheese?

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