Fontal Cheese vs Roumy Cheese
Fontal Cheese is a cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Roumy Cheese is hard and made from cow and buffalo milk, originating in Egypt.
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 Roumy Cheese?
Rumi, also spelled Roumy, is the main hard cheese of Egypt, made from cow's or buffalo milk with no starter culture. Three to four months of aging give it an open texture, a pungent smell and a sharp flavor that gets saltier with age.
What's the Difference Between Fontal Cheese and Roumy Cheese?
- Origin: Fontal Cheese (Italy), Roumy Cheese (Egypt)
- Milk type: Fontal Cheese (cow), Roumy Cheese (cow's and water buffalo's milk)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Fontal Cheese | Roumy Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Egypt |
| Specific Origin | Italy | Egypt |
| Milk Type | Cow | Cow's and water buffalo's milk |
| Texture | — | Hard |
| Rind | — | Natural |
| Aging | — | 3 to 4 months |
| Taste | — | Salty, sharp, strong |
Taste Comparison: Does Fontal Cheese Taste Like Roumy Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Fontal Cheese for Roumy Cheese?
Fontal Cheese can stand in for Roumy Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Fontal Cheese or Roumy 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 Roumy Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Fontal Cheese originates in Italy, while Roumy Cheese comes from Egypt. Fontal Cheese is made from cow milk; Roumy Cheese uses cow and buffalo.
Is Fontal Cheese similar to Roumy Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Fontal Cheese for Roumy Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Fontal Cheese taste like Roumy 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 Roumy Cheese made of?
Roumy Cheese is made from cow and buffalo milk. It's typically aged 3 to 4 months. It originates in Egypt.
Which should I choose, Fontal Cheese or Roumy Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.