Fontal Cheese vs Romano Cheese
Fontal Cheese
Romano Cheese
Fontal Cheese is a cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Romano Cheese is hard and made from cow, goat, or sheep 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 Romano Cheese?
Romano is the North American name for a class of hard, salty cheese made mainly for grating, from cow, goat and/or sheep's milk. It imitates Italian pecorino romano and must hold at least 38% milkfat and under 34% water.
What's the Difference Between Fontal Cheese and Romano Cheese?
- Milk type: Fontal Cheese (cow), Romano Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Fontal Cheese | Romano Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Italy | The U.S. And Canada |
| Milk Type | Cow | Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Pasteurized or unpasteurized |
| Texture | — | Hard |
| Rind | — | Natural |
| Taste | — | Mild, sharp, tangy |
Taste Comparison: Does Fontal Cheese Taste Like Romano Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Fontal Cheese for Romano Cheese?
Fontal Cheese can stand in for Romano Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Fontal Cheese or Romano 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 Romano Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Fontal Cheese is made from cow milk; Romano Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep.
Is Fontal Cheese similar to Romano Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Fontal Cheese for Romano Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Fontal Cheese taste like Romano 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 Romano Cheese made of?
Romano Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized), using rennet not required; any suitable milk-clotting enzym rennet. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Fontal Cheese or Romano Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.