Fontal Cheese vs Kashkaval Cheese

Q: Is Fontal Cheese the same as Kashkaval Cheese?

No. Fontal Cheese and Kashkaval Cheese are distinct cheeses from Italy and Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia and Turkey respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Fontal Cheese for Kashkaval Cheese?

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

Q: Does Fontal Cheese taste like Kashkaval Cheese?

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

Q: Which should I choose, Fontal Cheese or Kashkaval 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.

Fontal Cheese

Kashkaval Cheese

Fontal Cheese is a cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Kashkaval Cheese is medium-hard to hard, elastic and made from cow or sheep milk, originating in Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia and Turkey.

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 Kashkaval Cheese?

Kashkaval is a yellow cheese from the Balkans made with cow, sheep or goat milk, or a mixture of them. It melts and fries well, so it shows up on pizza, inside breakfast pastries and as a filling in Levantine baking.

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

Origin: Fontal Cheese (Italy), Kashkaval Cheese (Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia and Turkey)
Milk type: Fontal Cheese (cow), Kashkaval Cheese (cow's or sheep's milk)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Fontal Cheese	Kashkaval Cheese
Country of Origin	Italy	Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia And Turkey
Specific Origin	Italy	The Balkans, Turkey And The Levant
Milk Type	Cow	Cow's or sheep's milk
Milk Treatment	—	Varied
Texture	—	Medium-hard to hard, elastic
Rind	—	Varied
Aging	—	Minimum of two months
Taste	—	Piquant

Taste Comparison: Does Fontal Cheese Taste Like Kashkaval Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct.

Can You Substitute Fontal Cheese for Kashkaval Cheese?

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

Which Is Better, Fontal Cheese or Kashkaval 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 Kashkaval Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Fontal Cheese originates in Italy, while Kashkaval Cheese comes from Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia and Turkey. Fontal Cheese is made from cow milk; Kashkaval Cheese uses cow or sheep.

Is Fontal Cheese similar to Kashkaval Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Fontal Cheese for Kashkaval Cheese?

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

Does Fontal Cheese taste like Kashkaval 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 Kashkaval Cheese made of?

Kashkaval Cheese is made from cow or sheep milk (varied), using varied rennet. It's typically aged minimum of two months. It originates in Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia and Turkey.

Which should I choose, Fontal Cheese or Kashkaval Cheese?

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