Fontal Cheese vs Queijo Serra da Estrela
Fontal Cheese
Queijo Serra da Estrela
Fontal Cheese is a cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Queijo Serra da Estrela is closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (velho) and made from sheep milk, originating in Portugal.
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 Queijo Serra da Estrela?
Serra da Estrela is a sheep's milk cheese from the mountains of central Portugal, protected as a PDO in the European Union and the UK. It is coagulated with thistle instead of rennet, and its paste runs from nearly semi-liquid when young to solid but sliceable with age.
What's the Difference Between Fontal Cheese and Queijo Serra da Estrela?
- Origin: Fontal Cheese (Italy), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Portugal)
- Milk type: Fontal Cheese (cow), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Sheep)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Fontal Cheese | Queijo Serra da Estrela | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Portugal |
| Specific Origin | Italy | Beira Uplands, Including Municipalities Such As Carregal Do Sal, Celorico Da Beira, And Others. |
| Milk Type | Cow | Sheep |
| Milk Treatment | — | Raw |
| Texture | — | Closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (Velho) |
| Rind | — | Smooth and semi-soft (standard), smooth to slightly wrinkled and hard to extra hard (Velho) |
| Aging | — | Minimum 30 days; 120 days for "Velho" |
| Taste | — | Smooth, clean, and slightly acidic (standard); pleasant, lingering, clean, strong to slightly strong and slightly spicy/salty (Velho) |
Taste Comparison: Does Fontal Cheese Taste Like Queijo Serra da Estrela?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Fontal Cheese for Queijo Serra da Estrela?
Fontal Cheese can stand in for Queijo Serra da Estrela in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Fontal Cheese or Queijo Serra da Estrela?
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 Queijo Serra da Estrela?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Fontal Cheese originates in Italy, while Queijo Serra da Estrela comes from Portugal. Fontal Cheese is made from cow milk; Queijo Serra da Estrela uses sheep.
Is Fontal Cheese similar to Queijo Serra da Estrela?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Fontal Cheese for Queijo Serra da Estrela?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Fontal Cheese taste like Queijo Serra da Estrela?
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 Queijo Serra da Estrela made of?
Queijo Serra da Estrela is made from sheep milk (raw), using cardoon flower (cynara cardunculus, l) rennet. It's typically aged minimum 30 days; 120 days for "velho". It originates in Portugal.
Which should I choose, Fontal Cheese or Queijo Serra da Estrela?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.