Fontina Cheese vs Shropshire Blue Cheese

Fontina Cheese is a semi-soft cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Shropshire Blue Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in United Kingdom.

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 Shropshire Blue Cheese?

Shropshire Blue is a British blue cheese made from pasteurized cow's milk, coloured orange with annatto and veined with Penicillium roqueforti. It is made much like Stilton but tastes sharper, and it matures for 10 to 12 weeks.

What's the Difference Between Fontina Cheese and Shropshire Blue Cheese?

• Origin: Fontina Cheese (Italy), Shropshire Blue Cheese (United Kingdom)
• Milk treatment: Fontina Cheese (Raw (for traditional Italian Fontina), Pasteurized (for most American versions)), Shropshire Blue Cheese (pasteurized)
• Texture: Fontina Cheese (Semi-soft), Shropshire Blue Cheese (Soft)
• Rind: Fontina Cheese (Natural, Often Washed), Shropshire Blue Cheese (natural)
• Aging: Fontina Cheese (Typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor)), Shropshire Blue Cheese (10 to 12 weeks)
• Taste: Fontina Cheese (Mild, Buttery, Nutty), Shropshire Blue Cheese (sharp and strong)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Fontina Cheese Taste Like Shropshire Blue Cheese?

Fontina Cheese reads as mild, buttery, nutty, while Shropshire Blue Cheese brings sharp and strong character. On the nose, Fontina Cheese offers mild to pungent (earthier in aged versions), contrasted with Shropshire Blue Cheese's slightly tangy. More specifically, Fontina Cheese shows buttery, earthy, mildly nutty, slightly fruity, while Shropshire Blue Cheese leans toward sharp, strong, slightly sour, sharper than stilton, creamy. 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 Shropshire Blue Cheese at 10 to 12 weeks.

Can You Substitute Fontina Cheese for Shropshire Blue Cheese?

In most recipes, Fontina Cheese and Shropshire Blue 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 Shropshire Blue Cheese brings sharp and strong notes.

Which Is Better, Fontina Cheese or Shropshire Blue 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, Shropshire Blue Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Fontina Cheese suits recipes that want mild, buttery, nutty notes, while Shropshire Blue Cheese fits dishes calling for sharp and strong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fontina Cheese the same as Shropshire Blue Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Fontina Cheese originates in Italy, while Shropshire Blue Cheese comes from United Kingdom. Aging also differs: Fontina Cheese is typically aged typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor), Shropshire Blue Cheese 10 to 12 weeks.

Is Fontina Cheese similar to Shropshire Blue Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Fontina Cheese for Shropshire Blue Cheese?

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

Does Fontina Cheese taste like Shropshire Blue Cheese?

Fontina Cheese reads as mild, buttery, nutty, while Shropshire Blue Cheese is sharp and strong. Aromas also diverge. Fontina Cheese leans mild to pungent (earthier in aged versions), and Shropshire Blue Cheese is closer to slightly tangy.

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 Shropshire Blue Cheese made of?

Shropshire Blue Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using vegetable rennet. It's typically aged 10 to 12 weeks. It originates in United Kingdom.

Which should I choose, Fontina Cheese or Shropshire Blue Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Fontina Cheese is semi-soft, while Shropshire Blue Cheese is soft.