Fontal Cheese vs Queso Casín
Fontal Cheese
Queso Casín
Fontal Cheese is a cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Queso Casín is hard to semi-hard, firm, crumbly, and buttery on the palate and made from cow 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 Casín?
Queso Casín is a hard to semi-hard cheese from southern Asturias, made with full-fat unpasteurized milk from Casina, Asturian Valley and Friesian cows. It is known for a firm, friable body, a sharp peppery bite, and a rind stamped with flowers or geometric figures.
What's the Difference Between Fontal Cheese and Queso Casín?
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Fontal Cheese | Queso Casín | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | — |
| Specific Origin | Italy | Asturias (Municipalities Of Caso, Sobrescobio, And Piloña) |
| Milk Type | Cow | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | — | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | — | Hard to semi-hard, firm, crumbly, and buttery on the palate |
| Rind | — | Smooth, fine, and almost non-existent |
| Aging | — | Minimum 60 days |
| Taste | — | Strong, tangy, slightly bitter, and persistent |
Taste Comparison: Does Fontal Cheese Taste Like Queso Casín?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Fontal Cheese for Queso Casín?
In most recipes, Fontal Cheese and Queso Casín can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over.
Which Is Better, Fontal Cheese or Queso Casín?
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 Casín?
No, they're distinct cheeses.
Is Fontal Cheese similar to Queso Casín?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Fontal Cheese for Queso Casín?
You can, but expect a shift in flavor and finish.
Does Fontal Cheese taste like Queso Casín?
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 Casín made of?
Queso Casín is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged minimum 60 days.
Which should I choose, Fontal Cheese or Queso Casín?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.