Fontina Cheese vs Scamorza Cheese
Fontina Cheese
Scamorza Cheese
Fontina Cheese is a semi-soft cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Scamorza Cheese is semi-soft and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
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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 Scamorza Cheese?
Scamorza is a southern Italian pasta filata cheese, usually made from cow's milk. It is tied with string and hung to dry into a pear-like shape, sold unsmoked or smoked, and works as a substitute for mozzarella in most dishes.
What's the Difference Between Fontina Cheese and Scamorza Cheese?
- Rind: Fontina Cheese (Natural, Often Washed), Scamorza Cheese (natural)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Fontina Cheese | Scamorza Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Aosta Valley, Italy | Apulia And Calabria, Southern Italy |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw (for traditional Italian Fontina), Pasteurized (for most American versions) | — |
| Texture | Semi-soft | Semi-soft |
| Rind | Natural, Often Washed | Natural |
| Aging | Typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor) | — |
| Taste | Mild, Buttery, Nutty | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Fontina Cheese Taste Like Scamorza Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Fontina Cheese for Scamorza Cheese?
In most recipes, Fontina Cheese and Scamorza Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over.
Which Is Better, Fontina Cheese or Scamorza 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 Cheese the same as Scamorza Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses.
Is Fontina Cheese similar to Scamorza Cheese?
Yes, they share close profiles. Same milk base and similar texture make them workable alternatives in many recipes.
Can I substitute Fontina Cheese for Scamorza Cheese?
Yes, quite easily. The milk base and texture are close enough that most recipes won't notice the swap.
Does Fontina Cheese taste like Scamorza Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
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 Scamorza Cheese made of?
Scamorza Cheese is made from cow milk. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Fontina Cheese or Scamorza Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.