, then select "Add to Home Screen" to get instant access.
Log In
Explore
Cheeses
Cheesemakers
Types
Pairings
Cheese Map
Free Tools
Fontina Cheese vs Gouda Cheese
Fontina Cheese
Gouda Cheese
In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Fontina Cheese and Gouda Cheese, including:
- "What is the difference between Fontina Cheese and Gouda Cheese?"
- "Is Fontina Cheese and Gouda Cheese the same?"
- "How does Fontina Cheese compare to Gouda Cheese cheese?"
- "How does the taste of Fontina Cheese compare to Gouda Cheese?"
- "Is Fontina Cheese or Gouda 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.
Gouda Cheese Overview
Gouda is a famous Dutch cheese named after the city of Gouda in the Netherlands. It is typically made from cow's milk and aged to develop a rich, caramel-like sweetness with a smooth, firm texture. Young Gouda is mild and creamy, while aged Gouda becomes hard and crumbly with intense flavors.
Comparing the Two Cheeses
Country of Origin
Fontina Cheese comes from Italy. Gouda Cheese originated from Netherlands.
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). Gouda is not a protected cheese.
Milk Type and Treatment
Fontina Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically raw or pasteurized. Gouda Cheese is made with cow, goat, or sheep milk that is typically pasteurized or unpasteurized.
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". Gouda Cheese has a moisture content of reduced by scalding. Gouda's texture can be described as "varies".
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)". Gouda Cheese has a sweet to nutty taste.
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) . Gouda Cheese has a color of yellow , comes in large wheels and has an aging period of varies .
Rind and Rennet Type
Fontina Cheese's rind is described as natural, often washed and uses traditional (animal) or microbial (varies by producer) rennet. Gouda Cheese's rind is described as durable .
Ranking
Fontina is ranked #65 out of 996 types based on community views. Gouda is ranked #2 out of 996 types based on community views.
Pairing Comparison
| Fontina | Gouda | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Chardonnay | No pairings listed. |
| Other Good Pairings | Grilled Cheese, Macaroni and Cheese, Mushrooms, Prosciutto, Sangiovese | Hard Cider |
For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Fontina and Gouda pages.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Fontina Cheese | Gouda Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Netherlands |
| Specific Origin | Not Specified | Southern Holland |
| Certification | PDO (1996) | Not Specified |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw (for traditional Italian Fontina), Pasteurized (for most American versions) | Pasteurized or unpasteurized |
| Fat Content | ~30-45% | Not Specified |
| Moisture Content | ~45-50% | Reduced by scalding |
| Rind | Natural, Often Washed | Durable |
| Texture | Semi-Soft | Varies |
| Taste | Mild, Buttery, Nutty | Sweet to nutty |
| Aroma | Mild to Pungent (earthier in aged versions) | Not Specified |
| Colors | Pale Yellow to Golden | Yellow |
| Forms | Wheel, Block, Sliced, Shredded | Large wheels |
| Age | Typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor) | Varies |
| Rennet Type | Traditional (Animal) or Microbial (varies by producer) | Not Specified |
Which One Should You Choose?
If you prefer a semi-soft cheese, go for Fontina. But if you enjoy a varies consistency, Gouda might be the better pick. Fontina has a mild, buttery, nutty taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Gouda offers a sweet to nutty profile, ideal for different meals.
