Fontal Cheese vs Montasio Cheese
Fontal Cheese
Montasio Cheese
Fontal Cheese is a semi-hard cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Montasio Cheese is hard and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
Buy Fontal Cheese
Buy Montasio Cheese
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 Montasio Cheese?
Montasio is a cow's milk mountain cheese from Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Veneto in northeastern Italy, made on the Montasio plateau since 1200. It is semi-hard and creamy when young, and harder after longer aging.
What's the Difference Between Fontal Cheese and Montasio Cheese?
- Texture: Fontal Cheese (Semi-hard), Montasio Cheese (Hard)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Fontal Cheese | Montasio Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Italy | Fruili-Venezia Giulia And Parts Of Belluno, Treviso, Padua, And Venice In Veneto |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Semi-hard | Hard |
| Rind | — | Natural |
| Aging | — | Fresco: 60-120 days; Mezzano: 120 days-10 months; Stagionato: 10-18 months; Stravecchio: over 18 months |
| Taste | — | Mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice |
Taste Comparison: Does Fontal Cheese Taste Like Montasio Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Fontal Cheese for Montasio Cheese?
In most recipes, Fontal Cheese and Montasio Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect semi-hard bite and body where the recipe calls for hard.
Which Is Better, Fontal Cheese or Montasio Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-hard cheese, go with Fontal Cheese. For a hard profile, Montasio Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fontal Cheese the same as Montasio Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses.
Is Fontal Cheese similar to Montasio Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Fontal Cheese for Montasio Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Fontal Cheese taste like Montasio 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 Montasio Cheese made of?
Montasio Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged fresco: 60-120 days; mezzano: 120 days-10 months; stagionato: 10-18 months; stravecchio: over 18 months. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Fontal Cheese or Montasio Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Fontal Cheese is semi-hard, while Montasio Cheese is hard.