Fontina-Style Cheese vs Kasseri Cheese
Fontina-Style Cheese
Kasseri Cheese
Fontina-Style Cheese is a cheese, while Kasseri Cheese is firm to hard and made from goat and sheep milk, originating in Greece.
What Is Fontina-Style Cheese?
Fontina-Style cheese is a semi-soft cheese known for its creamy texture and mild, nutty flavor. It draws inspiration from traditional Italian Fontina but is often made in various regions outside Italy. The cheese has a pale yellow interior with a few small holes and a natural rind. It melts well, making it a popular choice for cooking, particularly in sauces and fondues. The flavor is buttery and slightly earthy, which pairs well with a variety of foods. Fontina-Style cheese can be sliced for sandwiches or served as part of a cheese platter. It is also a good companion to fruits and nuts, enhancing its mild sweetness.
What Is Kasseri Cheese?
Kasseri is a pale yellow, medium-hard to hard Greek cheese made from sheep milk with at most 20% goat's milk. It belongs to the pasta filata family and is best known as the cheese in saganaki and kasseropita.
What's the Difference Between Fontina-Style Cheese and Kasseri Cheese?
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Fontina-Style Cheese | Kasseri Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | Greece |
| Specific Origin | — | Thrace, Macedonia, Thessaly, Lesbos |
| Milk Type | — | Goat's and sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Traditionally raw, increasingly pasteurized |
| Texture | — | Firm to hard |
| Rind | — | Develops as ages |
| Aging | — | At least 3 months |
| Taste | — | Rich |
Taste Comparison: Does Fontina-Style Cheese Taste Like Kasseri Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Fontina-Style Cheese for Kasseri Cheese?
Fontina-Style Cheese can stand in for Kasseri Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Fontina-Style Cheese or Kasseri 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 Fontina-Style Cheese the same as Kasseri Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses.
Is Fontina-Style Cheese similar to Kasseri Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Fontina-Style Cheese for Kasseri Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in flavor and finish.
Does Fontina-Style Cheese taste like Kasseri Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Fontina-Style Cheese made of?
Fontina-Style Cheese is made from milk.
What is Kasseri Cheese made of?
Kasseri Cheese is made from goat and sheep milk (traditionally raw, increasingly pasteurized), using natural rennet. It's typically aged at least 3 months. It originates in Greece.
Which should I choose, Fontina-Style Cheese or Kasseri Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.