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Fontina Cheese vs Tête de Moine Cheese
Fontina Cheese
Tête de Moine Cheese
In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Fontina Cheese and Tête de Moine Cheese, including:
- "What is the difference between Fontina Cheese and Tête de Moine Cheese?"
- "Is Fontina Cheese and Tête de Moine Cheese the same?"
- "How does Fontina Cheese compare to Tête de Moine Cheese cheese?"
- "How does the taste of Fontina Cheese compare to Tête de Moine Cheese?"
- "Is Fontina Cheese or Tête de Moine 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.
Tête de Moine Cheese Overview
Tête de Moine, meaning "monk’s head," is a Swiss cheese made from cow's milk. It is traditionally shaved into rosette-shaped slices using a girolle. The cheese has a firm texture and a rich, creamy flavor with a slightly tangy and nutty undertone, ideal for elegant cheese platters.
Comparing the Two Cheeses
Country of Origin
Fontina Cheese comes from Italy. Tête de Moine Cheese originated from Switzerland.
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). Tête de Moine Cheese has a GI (2011).
Milk Type and Treatment
Fontina Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically raw or pasteurized. Tête de Moine Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically 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". Tête de Moine's texture can be described as "semi-hard".
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)". Tête de Moine Cheese has a nutty taste. Tête de Moine's aroma can be described as "rich".
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) .
Rind and Rennet Type
Fontina Cheese's rind is described as natural, often washed and uses traditional (animal) or microbial (varies by producer) rennet.
Ranking
Fontina is ranked #65 out of 996 types based on community views. Tête de Moine is ranked #45 out of 996 types based on community views.
Pairing Comparison
| Fontina | Tête de Moine | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Chardonnay | No pairings listed. |
| Other Good Pairings | Grilled Cheese, Macaroni and Cheese, Mushrooms, Prosciutto, Sangiovese | No additional pairings listed. |
For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Fontina and Tête de Moine pages.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Fontina Cheese | Tête de Moine Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | Not Specified | Not Specified |
| Certification | PDO (1996) | GI (2011) |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw (for traditional Italian Fontina), Pasteurized (for most American versions) | Unpasteurized |
| Fat Content | ~30-45% | Not Specified |
| Moisture Content | ~45-50% | Not Specified |
| Rind | Natural, Often Washed | Not Specified |
| Texture | Semi-Soft | Semi-hard |
| Taste | Mild, Buttery, Nutty | Nutty |
| Aroma | Mild to Pungent (earthier in aged versions) | Rich |
| Colors | Pale Yellow to Golden | Not Specified |
| Forms | Wheel, Block, Sliced, Shredded | Not Specified |
| Age | Typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor) | Not Specified |
| 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 semi-hard consistency, Tête de Moine might be the better pick. Fontina has a mild, buttery, nutty taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Tête de Moine offers a nutty profile, ideal for different meals.
