Fontina Cheese vs Jarlsberg Cheese
Fontina Cheese
Jarlsberg Cheese
Fontina Cheese is a semi-soft cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Jarlsberg Cheese is semihard and made from cow milk, originating in Norway.
What Is Fontina Cheese?
Fontina is a cow's milk cheese from Italy's Aosta Valley, made there since the 12th century. It runs semisoft to hard, tastes creamy and nutty with earthy, mushroomy notes, and melts well enough to carry a fondue.
What Is Jarlsberg Cheese?
Jarlsberg is a mild Swiss-type cheese from Norway, made from cow's milk and named after Jarlsberg Manor. It is known for its buttery, slightly sweet and nutty flavor and its medium to large holes.
What's the Difference Between Fontina Cheese and Jarlsberg Cheese?
- Origin: Fontina Cheese (Italy), Jarlsberg Cheese (Norway)
- Milk treatment: Fontina Cheese (Raw (for traditional Italian Fontina), Pasteurized (for most American versions)), Jarlsberg Cheese (pasteurized)
- Texture: Fontina Cheese (Semi-Soft), Jarlsberg Cheese (Semihard)
- Rind: Fontina Cheese (Natural, Often Washed), Jarlsberg Cheese (Plastic-covered)
- Aging: Fontina Cheese (Typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor)), Jarlsberg Cheese (Three months to twelve months)
- Taste: Fontina Cheese (Mild, Buttery, Nutty), Jarlsberg Cheese (Mild, sweet, nutty)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Fontina Cheese | Jarlsberg Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Norway |
| Specific Origin | Aosta Valley, Italy | Jarlsberg, Vestfold, Norway |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw (for traditional Italian Fontina), Pasteurized (for most American versions) | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Semi-Soft | Semihard |
| Rind | Natural, Often Washed | Plastic-covered |
| Aging | Typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor) | Three months to twelve months |
| Taste | Mild, Buttery, Nutty | Mild, sweet, nutty |
Taste Comparison: Does Fontina Cheese Taste Like Jarlsberg Cheese?
Fontina Cheese reads as mild, buttery, nutty, while Jarlsberg Cheese brings mild, sweet, nutty character. On the nose, Fontina Cheese offers mild to pungent (earthier in aged versions), contrasted with Jarlsberg Cheese's mild, buttery. More specifically, Fontina Cheese shows buttery, earthy, mildly nutty, slightly fruity, while Jarlsberg Cheese leans toward known for its mild, sweet, and nutty flavor and large eyes.. Aging plays into this as well. Fontina Cheese at typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor) develops a different profile than Jarlsberg Cheese at three months to twelve months.
Can You Substitute Fontina Cheese for Jarlsberg Cheese?
In most recipes, Fontina Cheese and Jarlsberg Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect semi-soft bite and body where the recipe calls for semihard. Flavor-wise, Fontina Cheese reads as mild, buttery, nutty while Jarlsberg Cheese brings mild, sweet, nutty notes.
Which Is Better, Fontina Cheese or Jarlsberg Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-soft cheese, go with Fontina Cheese. For a semihard profile, Jarlsberg Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Fontina Cheese suits recipes that want mild, buttery, nutty notes, while Jarlsberg Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, sweet, nutty.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fontina Cheese the same as Jarlsberg Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Fontina Cheese originates in Italy, while Jarlsberg Cheese comes from Norway. Aging also differs: Fontina Cheese is typically aged typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor), Jarlsberg Cheese three months to twelve months.
Is Fontina Cheese similar to Jarlsberg Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Fontina Cheese for Jarlsberg Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Fontina Cheese taste like Jarlsberg Cheese?
Fontina Cheese reads as mild, buttery, nutty, while Jarlsberg Cheese is mild, sweet, nutty. Aromas also diverge. Fontina Cheese leans mild to pungent (earthier in aged versions), and Jarlsberg Cheese is closer to mild, buttery.
What is Fontina Cheese made of?
Fontina Cheese is made from cow milk (raw (for traditional italian fontina), pasteurized (for most american versions)), using traditional (animal) or microbial (varies by producer) rennet. It's typically aged typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor). It originates in Italy.
What is Jarlsberg Cheese made of?
Jarlsberg Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged three months to twelve months. It originates in Norway.
Which should I choose, Fontina Cheese or Jarlsberg Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Fontina Cheese is semi-soft, while Jarlsberg Cheese is semihard.