Fontal Cheese vs Wrångebäcksost Cheese
Fontal Cheese is a cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Wrångebäcksost Cheese is semi-hard, firm and creamy with crystals, occasional holes and made from cow milk.
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 Wrångebäcksost Cheese?
Wrångebäcksost is a semi-hard cheese made from thermised, organic full-fat cow’s milk, produced in the Guldkroken region of Sweden. The cheese has a firm and creamy texture with crystals, a yellowish interior with occasional holes, and an orange to rust-red rind. It is ripened for a minimum of nine months, developing complex umami and barnyard flavors with a pronounced saltiness and slight sweetness. The cheese is washed in a salt solution, which encourages the growth of mould bacteria, including Brevibacterium linens, essential for its aroma and taste. The high-quality feed from the local grasslands and meadows, along with a carefully managed aging process, contributes to the melty texture and distinctive flavor profile.
What's the Difference Between Fontal Cheese and Wrångebäcksost Cheese?
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Fontal Cheese | Wrångebäcksost Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | — |
| Specific Origin | Italy | Guldkroken Region (Western Shore Of Lake Vättern), Sweden |
| Milk Type | Cow | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | — | Thermised |
| Texture | — | Semi-hard, firm and creamy with crystals, occasional holes |
| Rind | — | Natural, formed by mould bacteria |
| Aging | — | Minimum 9 months |
| Taste | — | Full and complex, long aftertaste |
Taste Comparison: Does Fontal Cheese Taste Like Wrångebäcksost Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Fontal Cheese for Wrångebäcksost Cheese?
In most recipes, Fontal Cheese and Wrångebäcksost Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over.
Which Is Better, Fontal Cheese or Wrångebäcksost 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 Wrångebäcksost Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses.
Is Fontal Cheese similar to Wrångebäcksost Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Fontal Cheese for Wrångebäcksost Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in flavor and finish.
Does Fontal Cheese taste like Wrångebäcksost 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 Wrångebäcksost Cheese made of?
Wrångebäcksost Cheese is made from cow milk (thermised), using animal rennet. It's typically aged minimum 9 months.
Which should I choose, Fontal Cheese or Wrångebäcksost Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.