Feta Cheese vs Fontainebleau Cheese

Feta Cheese is a soft, white, aged in brine goat and sheep-milk cheese from Greece, while Fontainebleau Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in France.

What Is Feta Cheese?

Feta is a Greek brined white cheese made from sheep's milk or a mix of sheep and goat's milk. It is crumbly and slightly grainy, tangy and salty, and it anchors dishes like Greek salad and spanakopita.

What Is Fontainebleau Cheese?

Fontainebleau is a soft, white cheese originating from the Ile-de-France region in France. Made from cow's milk, it can be produced using either pasteurized or unpasteurized milk. This cheese has a high fat content of 60%, contributing to its rich and creamy texture. Fontainebleau is known for its mild, milky, and smooth flavor profile with a subtle sweetness. The aroma is fresh and mild, reflecting its milky nature. It is rindless, which adds to its smooth and velvety consistency. Fontainebleau is often enjoyed on its own or paired with fruits or pastries.

What's the Difference Between Feta Cheese and Fontainebleau Cheese?

• Origin: Feta Cheese (Greece), Fontainebleau Cheese (France)
• Milk type: Feta Cheese (goat's and sheep's milk), Fontainebleau Cheese (cow's milk)
• Milk treatment: Feta Cheese (Pasteurized, sometimes raw), Fontainebleau Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized)
• Texture: Feta Cheese (Soft, white, aged in brine), Fontainebleau Cheese (soft)
• Rind: Feta Cheese (None), Fontainebleau Cheese (rindless)
• Taste: Feta Cheese (Sharp to mild), Fontainebleau Cheese (mild, milky, smooth, sweet)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Feta Cheese Taste Like Fontainebleau Cheese?

Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild, while Fontainebleau Cheese brings mild, milky, smooth, sweet character. On the nose, Feta Cheese offers ewe's milk, butter, yoghurt, contrasted with Fontainebleau Cheese's fresh, mild, milky.

Can You Substitute Feta Cheese for Fontainebleau Cheese?

Feta Cheese can stand in for Fontainebleau Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, white, aged in brine bite and body where the recipe calls for soft. Flavor-wise, Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild while Fontainebleau Cheese brings mild, milky, smooth, sweet notes.

Which Is Better, Feta Cheese or Fontainebleau Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, white, aged in brine cheese, go with Feta Cheese. For a soft profile, Fontainebleau Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Feta Cheese suits recipes that want sharp to mild notes, while Fontainebleau Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, milky, smooth, sweet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Feta Cheese the same as Fontainebleau Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Feta Cheese originates in Greece, while Fontainebleau Cheese comes from France. Feta Cheese is made from goat and sheep milk; Fontainebleau Cheese uses cow.

Is Feta Cheese similar to Fontainebleau Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Feta Cheese for Fontainebleau Cheese?

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

Does Feta Cheese taste like Fontainebleau Cheese?

Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild, while Fontainebleau Cheese is mild, milky, smooth, sweet. Aromas also diverge. Feta Cheese leans ewe's milk, butter, yoghurt, and Fontainebleau Cheese is closer to fresh, mild, milky.

What is Feta Cheese made of?

Feta Cheese is made from goat and sheep milk (pasteurized, sometimes raw), using rennet. It's typically aged 2 months to longer. It originates in Greece.

What is Fontainebleau Cheese made of?

Fontainebleau Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized). It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Feta Cheese or Fontainebleau Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Feta Cheese is soft, white, aged in brine, while Fontainebleau Cheese is soft.