Fontina Cheese vs Fromage Frais Cheese

In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Fontina Cheese and Fromage Frais Cheese, including:

• "What is the difference between Fontina Cheese and Fromage Frais Cheese?"
• "Is Fontina Cheese and Fromage Frais Cheese the same?"
• "How does Fontina Cheese compare to Fromage Frais Cheese cheese?"
• "How does the taste of Fontina Cheese compare to Fromage Frais Cheese?"
• "Is Fontina Cheese or Fromage Frais Cheese better?"

Fontina Cheese Overview

Fontina is a classic Italian cheese from the Aosta Valley, with a dense, smooth texture and a nutty, earthy flavor. It is made from cow's milk and has a slightly elastic feel. Fontina is excellent for melting and is often used in dishes like risotto, fonduta, and as a table cheese.

Fromage Frais Cheese Overview

Fromage Frais is a soft, fresh cheese similar to fromage blanc but even creamier and richer. It is made from whole or skimmed milk with cream, giving it a smooth, velvety texture. This cheese is commonly used in France for desserts or simply enjoyed with fruit or honey.

Comparing the Two Cheeses

Country of Origin

Fontina Cheese comes from Italy. Fromage Frais Cheese originated from France.

Certification

Many cheeses have some kind of protected status that makes it so they can only be produced in a certain manner and location. Fontina Cheese has a PDO (1996). Fromage Frais is not a protected cheese.

Milk Type and Treatment

Fontina Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically raw or pasteurized. Information on the milk type and treatment for Fromage Frais Cheese is not available.

Composition and Texture

Fontina Cheese has a fat content of ~30-45% and a moisture content of ~45-50%. Fontina's texture can be described as "semi-soft". Fromage Frais's texture can be described as "fresh soft".

Taste and Aroma

Fontina Cheese has a mild, buttery, nutty taste. Fontina's aroma can be described as "mild to pungent (earthier in aged versions)". Fromage Frais Cheese has a milky, smooth taste. Fromage Frais's aroma can be described as "mild".

Appearance and Aging

Fontina Cheese's appearance is colored pale yellow to golden , is available in wheel, block, sliced, shredded and is aged typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor) . Fromage Frais Cheese has a color of white .

Rind and Rennet Type

Fontina Cheese's rind is described as natural, often washed and uses traditional (animal) or microbial (varies by producer) rennet.

Ranking

Fontina is ranked #65 out of 996 types based on community views. Fromage Frais is ranked #81 out of 996 types based on community views.

Pairing Comparison

For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Fontina and Fromage Frais pages.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Which One Should You Choose?

If you prefer a semi-soft cheese, go for Fontina. But if you enjoy a fresh soft consistency, Fromage Frais might be the better pick. Fontina has a mild, buttery, nutty taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Fromage Frais offers a milky, smooth profile, ideal for different meals.

Compare Fontina Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare Fromage Frais Cheese to Other Cheeses