Fontal Cheese vs Kasseri Cheese

Q: Is Fontal Cheese the same as Kasseri Cheese?

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

Q: Can I substitute Fontal Cheese for Kasseri Cheese?

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

Q: Does Fontal Cheese taste like Kasseri Cheese?

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

Q: Which should I choose, Fontal Cheese or Kasseri 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

Kasseri Cheese

Fontal Cheese is a cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Kasseri Cheese is firm to hard and made from goat and sheep milk, originating in Greece.

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 Kasseri Cheese?

Kasseri is a pale yellow, medium-hard to hard Greek cheese made from sheep milk with at most 20% goat's milk. It belongs to the pasta filata family and is best known as the cheese in saganaki and kasseropita.

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

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

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Fontal Cheese	Kasseri Cheese
Country of Origin	Italy	Greece
Specific Origin	Italy	Thrace, Macedonia, Thessaly, Lesbos
Milk Type	Cow	Goat's and sheep's milk
Milk Treatment	—	Traditionally raw, increasingly pasteurized
Texture	—	Firm to hard
Rind	—	Develops as ages
Aging	—	At least 3 months
Taste	—	Rich

Taste Comparison: Does Fontal Cheese Taste Like Kasseri Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct.

Can You Substitute Fontal Cheese for Kasseri Cheese?

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

Which Is Better, Fontal Cheese or Kasseri 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 Kasseri Cheese?

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

Is Fontal Cheese similar to Kasseri Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Fontal Cheese for Kasseri Cheese?

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

Does Fontal Cheese taste like Kasseri 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 Kasseri Cheese made of?

Kasseri Cheese is made from goat and sheep milk (traditionally raw, increasingly pasteurized), using natural rennet. It's typically aged at least 3 months. It originates in Greece.

Which should I choose, Fontal Cheese or Kasseri Cheese?

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