Fontina Cheese vs Mont d'Or Cheese

Fontina Cheese is a semi-soft cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Mont d'Or Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in France.

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 Mont d'Or Cheese?

Mont d'Or is a seasonal soft cow's milk cheese from the Jura region of France and Switzerland, wrapped in a band of spruce that gives it its flavor. It sells from September 10 to May 10 and is usually warmed in its spruce box and eaten like fondue.

What's the Difference Between Fontina Cheese and Mont d'Or Cheese?

• Origin: Fontina Cheese (Italy), Mont d'Or Cheese (France)
• Milk treatment: Fontina Cheese (Raw (for traditional Italian Fontina), Pasteurized (for most American versions)), Mont d'Or Cheese (Raw)
• Texture: Fontina Cheese (Semi-soft), Mont d'Or Cheese (Soft)
• Rind: Fontina Cheese (Natural, Often Washed), Mont d'Or Cheese (Washed rind)
• Aging: Fontina Cheese (Typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor)), Mont d'Or Cheese (21 to 60 days)
• Taste: Fontina Cheese (Mild, Buttery, Nutty), Mont d'Or Cheese (Resinous, mild to pungent)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Fontina Cheese Taste Like Mont d'Or Cheese?

Fontina Cheese reads as mild, buttery, nutty, while Mont d'Or Cheese brings resinous, mild to pungent character. More specifically, Fontina Cheese shows buttery, earthy, mildly nutty, slightly fruity, while Mont d'Or Cheese leans toward known for its creamy taste and powerful aroma; gets resinous flavor from spruce bark. 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 Mont d'Or Cheese at 21 to 60 days.

Can You Substitute Fontina Cheese for Mont d'Or Cheese?

In most recipes, Fontina Cheese and Mont d'Or 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 soft. Flavor-wise, Fontina Cheese reads as mild, buttery, nutty while Mont d'Or Cheese brings resinous, mild to pungent notes.

Which Is Better, Fontina Cheese or Mont d'Or 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 soft profile, Mont d'Or Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Fontina Cheese suits recipes that want mild, buttery, nutty notes, while Mont d'Or Cheese fits dishes calling for resinous, mild to pungent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fontina Cheese the same as Mont d'Or Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Fontina Cheese originates in Italy, while Mont d'Or Cheese comes from France. Aging also differs: Fontina Cheese is typically aged typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor), Mont d'Or Cheese 21 to 60 days.

Is Fontina Cheese similar to Mont d'Or Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Fontina Cheese for Mont d'Or Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Fontina Cheese taste like Mont d'Or Cheese?

Fontina Cheese reads as mild, buttery, nutty, while Mont d'Or Cheese is resinous, mild to pungent.

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 Mont d'Or Cheese made of?

Mont d'Or Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged 21 to 60 days. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Fontina Cheese or Mont d'Or Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Fontina Cheese is semi-soft, while Mont d'Or Cheese is soft.