Fontal Cheese vs Queso de Media Flor de Guía
Fontal Cheese
Queso de Media Flor de Guía
Fontal Cheese is a cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Queso de Media Flor de Guía is dense, compact, sometimes rubbery or creamy and made from cow, goat, and 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 Queso de Media Flor de Guía?
Queso de Media Flor de Guía is a full-fat or half-fat cheese produced in the same region as Queso de Flor de Guía, using the same milk proportions. However, its curdling process involves at least 50% vegetable rennet, with the remainder being animal rennet or other starter cultures. It has a cylindrical shape, with a diameter of 15–30 cm and a height of 4–8 cm. Its texture varies from creamy to very hard depending on its maturity. The cheese has a mild acidic flavor with slight sharpness, and its aroma includes lactic, vegetal, and sometimes floral or roasted notes. It is matured for at least 15 days for semi-mature and over 60 days for mature cheese.
What's the Difference Between Fontal Cheese and Queso de Media Flor de Guía?
- Milk type: Fontal Cheese (cow), Queso de Media Flor de Guía (Sheep (Canary Island breed), with up to 40% cow and 10% goat milk)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Fontal Cheese | Queso de Media Flor de Guía | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | — |
| Specific Origin | Italy | Gáldar, Moya, And Santa María De Guía, Gran Canaria |
| Milk Type | Cow | Sheep (Canary Island breed), with up to 40% cow and 10% goat milk |
| Texture | — | Dense, compact, sometimes rubbery or creamy |
| Rind | — | Ivory-colored when young, thick and brown when mature |
| Aging | — | 15+ days (semi-mature), 60+ days (mature) |
| Taste | — | Mildly acidic with slight sharpness |
Taste Comparison: Does Fontal Cheese Taste Like Queso de Media Flor de Guía?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Fontal Cheese for Queso de Media Flor de Guía?
Fontal Cheese can stand in for Queso de Media Flor de Guía in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Fontal Cheese or Queso de Media Flor de Guía?
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 de Media Flor de Guía?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Fontal Cheese is made from cow milk; Queso de Media Flor de Guía uses cow, goat, and sheep.
Is Fontal Cheese similar to Queso de Media Flor de Guía?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Fontal Cheese for Queso de Media Flor de Guía?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Fontal Cheese taste like Queso de Media Flor de Guía?
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 de Media Flor de Guía made of?
Queso de Media Flor de Guía is made from cow, goat, and sheep milk, using at least 50% vegetable rennet, remainder can be animal rennet or starter cultures rennet. It's typically aged 15+ days (semi-mature), 60+ days (mature).
Which should I choose, Fontal Cheese or Queso de Media Flor de Guía?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.