Fontal Cheese vs Pecorino Crotonese Cheese
Fontal Cheese is a cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Pecorino Crotonese Cheese is fresh - soft, regular, creamy; semi-hard - firm; ripened - slightly straw-colored, firm and made from sheep 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 Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?
Pecorino Crotonese is an Italian sheep's milk cheese and one of the pecorino varieties registered with the EU as a protected designation of origin. Pecorino is the family name for Italy's sheep's milk cheeses, and every region makes its own.
What's the Difference Between Fontal Cheese and Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?
- Milk type: Fontal Cheese (cow), Pecorino Crotonese Cheese (Whole sheep's milk)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Fontal Cheese | Pecorino Crotonese Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | — |
| Specific Origin | Italy | Provinces Of Crotone, Catanzaro, And Cosenza |
| Milk Type | Cow | Whole sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Raw, thermised, or pasteurised |
| Texture | — | Fresh - soft, regular, creamy; Semi-hard - firm; Ripened - slightly straw-colored, firm |
| Rind | — | Fresh - thin; Semi-hard - thick, light brown; Ripened - hard, brown, may be coated with olive oil or olive dregs |
| Aging | — | Fresh, semi-hard, ripened (more than six months for ripened) |
| Taste | — | Distinct, smooth, slightly tangy (fresh); Intense, well-balanced (semi-hard); Intense, distinct, slight piquant aftertaste (ripened) |
Taste Comparison: Does Fontal Cheese Taste Like Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Fontal Cheese for Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?
Fontal Cheese can stand in for Pecorino Crotonese Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Fontal Cheese or Pecorino Crotonese 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 Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Fontal Cheese is made from cow milk; Pecorino Crotonese Cheese uses sheep.
Is Fontal Cheese similar to Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Fontal Cheese for Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Fontal Cheese taste like Pecorino Crotonese 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 Pecorino Crotonese Cheese made of?
Pecorino Crotonese Cheese is made from sheep milk (raw, thermised, or pasteurised), using kid rennet pas rennet. It's typically aged fresh, semi-hard, ripened (more than six months for ripened).
Which should I choose, Fontal Cheese or Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.