Fontal Cheese vs Ricotta Cheese
Fontal Cheese
Ricotta Cheese
Fontal Cheese is a cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Ricotta Cheese is soft, moist and made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk, originating in Italy.
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 Ricotta Cheese?
Ricotta is an Italian whey cheese made from the leftover whey of sheep, cow, goat, or water buffalo milk cheesemaking. The fresh curds are creamy white and slightly sweet, and they turn up in cannoli and cheesecakes as readily as in lasagne and ravioli.
What's the Difference Between Fontal Cheese and Ricotta Cheese?
- Milk type: Fontal Cheese (cow), Ricotta Cheese (cow's, goat's, sheep's or water buffalo's milk)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Fontal Cheese | Ricotta Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Milk Type | Cow | Cow's, goat's, sheep's or water buffalo's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Whey |
| Texture | — | Soft, moist |
| Rind | — | None |
| Aging | — | Fresh |
| Taste | — | Sweet, slightly creamy |
Taste Comparison: Does Fontal Cheese Taste Like Ricotta Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Fontal Cheese for Ricotta Cheese?
Fontal Cheese can stand in for Ricotta Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Fontal Cheese or Ricotta 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 Ricotta Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Fontal Cheese is made from cow milk; Ricotta Cheese uses cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo.
Is Fontal Cheese similar to Ricotta Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Fontal Cheese for Ricotta Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Fontal Cheese taste like Ricotta 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 Ricotta Cheese made of?
Ricotta Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk (whey), using animal or microbial rennet. It's typically aged fresh. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Fontal Cheese or Ricotta Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.