Fontal Cheese vs Sirene Cheese
Fontal Cheese is a cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Sirene Cheese is fresh soft, brined and made from cow, goat, and sheep milk, originating in Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Israel, Macedonia, Romania and Serbia.
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 Sirene Cheese?
Sirene is a Bulgarian brined cheese made from goat, sheep, cow or buffalo milk. Slightly crumbly and a little grainy, it is sold in blocks and used as a table cheese, in salads such as shopska, and in baking.
What's the Difference Between Fontal Cheese and Sirene Cheese?
- Origin: Fontal Cheese (Italy), Sirene Cheese (Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Israel, Macedonia, Romania and Serbia)
- Milk type: Fontal Cheese (cow), Sirene Cheese (cow's, goat's and sheep's milk)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Fontal Cheese | Sirene Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Israel, Macedonia, Romania And Serbia |
| Specific Origin | Italy | Bulgaria |
| Milk Type | Cow | Cow's, goat's and sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Pasteurized or unpasteurized |
| Texture | — | Fresh soft, brined |
| Rind | — | Natural |
| Taste | — | Lemony, salty, sharp, tangy |
Taste Comparison: Does Fontal Cheese Taste Like Sirene Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Fontal Cheese for Sirene Cheese?
Fontal Cheese can stand in for Sirene Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Fontal Cheese or Sirene 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 Sirene Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Fontal Cheese originates in Italy, while Sirene Cheese comes from Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Israel, Macedonia, Romania and Serbia. Fontal Cheese is made from cow milk; Sirene Cheese uses cow, goat, and sheep.
Is Fontal Cheese similar to Sirene Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Fontal Cheese for Sirene Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Fontal Cheese taste like Sirene 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 Sirene Cheese made of?
Sirene Cheese is made from cow, goat, and sheep milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized). It originates in Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Israel, Macedonia, Romania and Serbia.
Which should I choose, Fontal Cheese or Sirene Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.