Fontal Cheese vs Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese
Fontal Cheese is a cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese is compact structure with negligible friability, possibly with some holes 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 delle Balze Volterrane Cheese?
Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane is a cheese from Italy, specifically produced in the province of Pisa. It is made from raw, whole sheep's milk and uses vegetable rennet derived from wild cardoon or artichoke inflorescences. The cheese is available in four types based on maturation: fresh, semi-mature, mature, and extra-mature. The cheese has a cylindrical shape with a rind that ranges from pale straw yellow to deep yellow, and it can be coated in olive oil and ash. It has a compact texture with a flavor that is initially mild, with scents of milk and flowers, and a slightly spicy aftertaste. The cheese is known for its aroma reminiscent of milk and wild cardoon, with scents of aromatic plants and yellow flowers.
What's the Difference Between Fontal Cheese and Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese?
- Milk type: Fontal Cheese (cow), Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese (Sheep's milk)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Fontal Cheese | Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | — |
| Specific Origin | Italy | Province Of Pisa, Including The Municipalities Of Volterra, Pomarance, Montecatini Val Di Cecina, Castelnuovo Val Di Cecina, And Monteverdi. |
| Milk Type | Cow | Sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Raw |
| Texture | — | Compact structure with negligible friability, possibly with some holes |
| Rind | — | Ranges from pale straw yellow to deep yellow; can be coated in olive oil and ash |
| Aging | — | Fresh (7-44 days), Semi-mature (45 days to 6 months), Mature (6 to 12 months), Extra-mature (over 12 months) |
| Taste | — | Initially mild with scents of milk and flowers, slightly spicy aftertaste |
Taste Comparison: Does Fontal Cheese Taste Like Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Fontal Cheese for Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese?
Fontal Cheese can stand in for Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Fontal Cheese or Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane 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 delle Balze Volterrane Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Fontal Cheese is made from cow milk; Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese uses sheep.
Is Fontal Cheese similar to Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Fontal Cheese for Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Fontal Cheese taste like Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane 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 delle Balze Volterrane Cheese made of?
Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese is made from sheep milk (raw), using vegetable rennet from wild cardoon or artichoke inflorescences rennet. It's typically aged fresh (7-44 days), semi-mature (45 days to 6 months), mature (6 to 12 months), extra-mature (over 12 months).
Which should I choose, Fontal Cheese or Pecorino delle Balze Volterrane Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.