Fontal Cheese vs Urdă Cheese

Q: Is Fontal Cheese the same as Urdă Cheese?

No. Fontal Cheese and Urdă Cheese are distinct cheeses from Italy and Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Fontal Cheese for Urdă Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Fontal Cheese for Urdă Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Does Fontal Cheese taste like Urdă Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. See the side-by-side table above for details.

Q: Which should I choose, Fontal Cheese or Urdă Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Fontal Cheese

Urdă Cheese

Fontal Cheese is a cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Urdă Cheese is creamy, delicate and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk, originating in Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine.

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 Urdă Cheese?

Urdă is a whey cheese made across Southeast Europe and in Hungary by boiling the whey drained from other cheeses. The paste is finely grained and silky, and most of it ends up in desserts and filled pastries.

What's the Difference Between Fontal Cheese and Urdă Cheese?

Origin: Fontal Cheese (Italy), Urdă Cheese (Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine)
Milk type: Fontal Cheese (cow), Urdă Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Fontal Cheese	Urdă Cheese
Country of Origin	Italy	Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia And Ukraine
Specific Origin	Italy	North Pindos, Konitsa
Milk Type	Cow	Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk
Milk Treatment	—	Unpasteurized
Texture	—	Creamy, delicate
Rind	—	Yellowish
Aging	—	Up to 360 days
Taste	—	High quality

Taste Comparison: Does Fontal Cheese Taste Like Urdă Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct.

Can You Substitute Fontal Cheese for Urdă Cheese?

Fontal Cheese can stand in for Urdă Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.

Which Is Better, Fontal Cheese or Urdă 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 Urdă Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Fontal Cheese originates in Italy, while Urdă Cheese comes from Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine. Fontal Cheese is made from cow milk; Urdă Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep.

Is Fontal Cheese similar to Urdă Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Fontal Cheese for Urdă Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Fontal Cheese taste like Urdă 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 Urdă Cheese made of?

Urdă Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged up to 360 days. It originates in Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine.

Which should I choose, Fontal Cheese or Urdă Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.