Fontal Cheese vs Kaffeost Cheese
Fontal Cheese is a cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Kaffeost Cheese is fresh, rubbery when cold, melty or smooth when warm and made from cow or goat milk.
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 Is Kaffeost Cheese?
Bread cheese, called kaffeost in Swedish, is a Finnish fresh cheese from Southern Ostrobothnia, Northern Finland, and Kainuu, traditionally made from cow's colostrum. It is baked or grilled until marked brown, tastes mild, squeaks against the teeth, and is served with coffee.
What's the Difference Between Fontal Cheese and Kaffeost Cheese?
- Milk type: Fontal Cheese (cow), Kaffeost Cheese (cow, traditionally colostrum; sometimes goat)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Fontal Cheese | Kaffeost Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | — |
| Specific Origin | Italy | Southern Ostrobothnia, Northern Finland, And Kainuu, Finland |
| Milk Type | Cow | Cow, traditionally colostrum; sometimes goat |
| Milk Treatment | — | Whole milk, non-homogenized |
| Texture | — | Fresh, Rubbery when cold, melty or smooth when warm |
| Rind | — | Dry, smoked, or baked crust (color varies by treatment) |
| Aging | — | Dried a few days; keeps for years when dried |
| Taste | — | Mild, round, boiled milk flavor |
Taste Comparison: Does Fontal Cheese Taste Like Kaffeost Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Fontal Cheese for Kaffeost Cheese?
Fontal Cheese can stand in for Kaffeost Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Fontal Cheese or Kaffeost 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 Fontal Cheese the same as Kaffeost Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Fontal Cheese is made from cow milk; Kaffeost Cheese uses cow or goat.
Is Fontal Cheese similar to Kaffeost Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Fontal Cheese for Kaffeost Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Fontal Cheese taste like Kaffeost Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Fontal Cheese made of?
Fontal Cheese is made from cow milk. It originates in Italy.
What is Kaffeost Cheese made of?
Kaffeost Cheese is made from cow or goat milk (whole milk, non-homogenized). It's typically aged dried a few days; keeps for years when dried.
Which should I choose, Fontal Cheese or Kaffeost Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.