Farmstead Cheese vs Montasio Cheese
Farmstead Cheese is a cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo-milk cheese, while Montasio Cheese is elastic to crumbly and hard and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Farmstead Cheese?
Farmstead cheese, called farmhouse cheese in Europe, is made on the same farm that produced the milk. No outside milk is allowed, so each one tastes like the herd and land behind it.
What Is Montasio Cheese?
Montasio is a cow's milk mountain cheese from Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Veneto in northeastern Italy, made on the Montasio plateau since 1200. It is semi-hard and creamy when young, and harder after longer aging.
What's the Difference Between Farmstead Cheese and Montasio Cheese?
- Milk type: Farmstead Cheese (cow, goat, sheep, sometimes water buffalo), Montasio Cheese (cow's milk)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Farmstead Cheese | Montasio Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Europe And North America | Fruili-Venezia Giulia And Parts Of Belluno, Treviso, Padua, And Venice In Veneto |
| Milk Type | Cow, goat, sheep, sometimes water buffalo | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | — | Elastic to crumbly and hard |
| Rind | — | Natural |
| Aging | — | Fresco: 60-120 days; Mezzano: 120 days-10 months; Stagionato: 10-18 months; Stravecchio: over 18 months |
| Taste | — | Mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice |
Taste Comparison: Does Farmstead Cheese Taste Like Montasio Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Farmstead Cheese for Montasio Cheese?
Farmstead Cheese can stand in for Montasio Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Farmstead Cheese or Montasio 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 Farmstead Cheese the same as Montasio Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Farmstead Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk; Montasio Cheese uses cow.
Is Farmstead Cheese similar to Montasio Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Farmstead Cheese for Montasio Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Farmstead Cheese taste like Montasio Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Farmstead Cheese made of?
Farmstead Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk.
What is Montasio Cheese made of?
Montasio Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged fresco: 60-120 days; mezzano: 120 days-10 months; stagionato: 10-18 months; stravecchio: over 18 months. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Farmstead Cheese or Montasio Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.