Fontal Cheese vs Queso Camerano
Fontal Cheese
Queso Camerano
Fontal Cheese is a cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Queso Camerano is soft to semi-soft (fresh, soft); semi-hard to hard (semi-cured, cured) and made from goat 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 Queso Camerano?
Queso Camerano is a goat's milk cheese from the Sierra de los Cameros in La Rioja, Spain, sold fresh, tierno, semi-cured or cured. It is known for the basketwork pattern left by the cilla, the wicker mold it is pressed in, and has held protected designation of origin status since 2009.
What's the Difference Between Fontal Cheese and Queso Camerano?
- Milk type: Fontal Cheese (cow), Queso Camerano (Goat)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Fontal Cheese | Queso Camerano | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | — |
| Specific Origin | Italy | La Rioja (Rioja Alta, Sierra Rioja Alta, Sierra Rioja Media, Sierra De Rioja Baja, And Other Specified Municipalities) |
| Milk Type | Cow | Goat |
| Milk Treatment | — | Pasteurized (for fresh, soft, and semi-cured); raw or pasteurized (for cured) |
| Texture | — | Soft to semi-soft (fresh, soft); semi-hard to hard (semi-cured, cured) |
| Rind | — | None (fresh, soft); defined with mold (semi-cured, cured) |
| Aging | — | Fresh (0 days), Soft (15+ days), Semi-cured (30+ days), Cured (75+ days) |
| Taste | — | Mild, slightly acidic (fresh); stronger, slightly salty, musty (aged) |
Taste Comparison: Does Fontal Cheese Taste Like Queso Camerano?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Fontal Cheese for Queso Camerano?
Fontal Cheese can stand in for Queso Camerano in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Fontal Cheese or Queso Camerano?
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 Queso Camerano?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Fontal Cheese is made from cow milk; Queso Camerano uses goat.
Is Fontal Cheese similar to Queso Camerano?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Fontal Cheese for Queso Camerano?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Fontal Cheese taste like Queso Camerano?
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 Queso Camerano made of?
Queso Camerano is made from goat milk (pasteurized (for fresh, soft, and semi-cured); raw or pasteurized (for cured)), using kid, lamb or industrial rennet. It's typically aged fresh (0 days), soft (15+ days), semi-cured (30+ days), cured (75+ days).
Which should I choose, Fontal Cheese or Queso Camerano?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.