Fontina-Style Cheese vs Montasio Cheese
Fontina-Style Cheese
Montasio Cheese
Fontina-Style Cheese is a cheese, while Montasio Cheese is elastic to crumbly and hard and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
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 Montasio Cheese?
Montasio is a cow's milk mountain cheese from Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Veneto in northeastern Italy, made on the Montasio plateau since 1200. It is semi-hard and creamy when young, and harder after longer aging.
What's the Difference Between Fontina-Style Cheese and Montasio Cheese?
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Fontina-Style Cheese | Montasio Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | Italy |
| Specific Origin | — | Fruili-Venezia Giulia And Parts Of Belluno, Treviso, Padua, And Venice In Veneto |
| Milk Type | — | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | — | Elastic to crumbly and hard |
| Rind | — | Natural |
| Aging | — | Fresco: 60-120 days; Mezzano: 120 days-10 months; Stagionato: 10-18 months; Stravecchio: over 18 months |
| Taste | — | Mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice |
Taste Comparison: Does Fontina-Style Cheese Taste Like Montasio Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Fontina-Style Cheese for Montasio Cheese?
Fontina-Style Cheese can stand in for Montasio Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Fontina-Style Cheese or Montasio 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 Montasio Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses.
Is Fontina-Style Cheese similar to Montasio Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Fontina-Style Cheese for Montasio Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in flavor and finish.
Does Fontina-Style Cheese taste like Montasio 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 Montasio Cheese made of?
Montasio Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged fresco: 60-120 days; mezzano: 120 days-10 months; stagionato: 10-18 months; stravecchio: over 18 months. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Fontina-Style Cheese or Montasio Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.