Feta Cheese vs Fontal Cheese

Q: Is Feta Cheese the same as Fontal Cheese?

No. Feta Cheese and Fontal Cheese are distinct cheeses from Greece and Italy respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Feta Cheese for Fontal Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Feta Cheese for Fontal Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Does Feta Cheese taste like Fontal Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. See the side-by-side table above for details.

Q: Which should I choose, Feta Cheese or Fontal Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Feta Cheese

Fontal Cheese

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

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 Fontal Cheese?

Fontal is one of the names that grew out of fontina, the cow's milk cheese first produced in Italy. Cheeses under derivative names like fontal are made in other parts of Italy and in Denmark, Sweden, Quebec, France, Argentina, and the United States.

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

Origin: Feta Cheese (Greece), Fontal Cheese (Italy)
Milk type: Feta Cheese (goat's and sheep's milk), Fontal Cheese (cow)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Feta Cheese	Fontal Cheese
Country of Origin	Greece	Italy
Specific Origin	Mainland Greece And Lesbos Prefecture	Italy
Milk Type	Goat's and sheep's milk	Cow
Milk Treatment	Pasteurized, sometimes raw	—
Texture	Soft, white, aged in brine	—
Rind	None	—
Aging	2 months to longer	—
Taste	Sharp to mild	—

Taste Comparison: Does Feta Cheese Taste Like Fontal Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct.

Can You Substitute Feta Cheese for Fontal Cheese?

Feta Cheese can stand in for Fontal Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.

Which Is Better, Feta Cheese or Fontal 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 Feta Cheese the same as Fontal Cheese?

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

Is Feta Cheese similar to Fontal Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Feta Cheese for Fontal Cheese?

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

Does Feta Cheese taste like Fontal Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.

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 Fontal Cheese made of?

Fontal Cheese is made from cow milk. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Feta Cheese or Fontal Cheese?

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