Fontal Cheese vs Pasta Filata Cheese
Fontal Cheese is a cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Pasta Filata Cheese is soft, elastic and stringy, fibrous and made from cow or buffalo 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 Pasta Filata Cheese?
Pasta filata is the Italian spun-curd technique behind mozzarella, provolone, caciocavallo and scamorza. Fresh curd is kneaded in hot water until it turns soft, elastic and stringy, which gives the finished cheese its fibrous structure.
What's the Difference Between Fontal Cheese and Pasta Filata Cheese?
- Milk type: Fontal Cheese (cow), Pasta Filata Cheese (cow, water buffalo)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Fontal Cheese | Pasta Filata Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | — |
| Specific Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Milk Type | Cow | Cow, water buffalo |
| Texture | — | Soft, elastic and stringy, fibrous |
| Aging | — | Fresh for mozzarella, aged for provolone, caciocavallo and scamorza |
Taste Comparison: Does Fontal Cheese Taste Like Pasta Filata Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Fontal Cheese for Pasta Filata Cheese?
Fontal Cheese can stand in for Pasta Filata Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Fontal Cheese or Pasta Filata 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 Pasta Filata Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Fontal Cheese is made from cow milk; Pasta Filata Cheese uses cow or buffalo.
Is Fontal Cheese similar to Pasta Filata Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Fontal Cheese for Pasta Filata Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Fontal Cheese taste like Pasta Filata 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 Pasta Filata Cheese made of?
Pasta Filata Cheese is made from cow or buffalo milk. It's typically aged fresh for mozzarella, aged for provolone, caciocavallo and scamorza.
Which should I choose, Fontal Cheese or Pasta Filata Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.