Fromage Frais Cheese vs Montasio Cheese

Fromage Frais Cheese is a fresh cheese from France, while Montasio Cheese is hard and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

What Is Fromage Frais Cheese?

Fromage frais is an acid-coagulated fresh cheese from northern France and southern Belgium, sold with its live cultures still active. It looks and eats much like yogurt, and turns up in desserts, on bread under jam, and in savoury cooking.

What Is Montasio Cheese?

Montasio is a cow's milk mountain cheese from Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Veneto in northeastern Italy, made on the Montasio plateau since 1200. It is semi-hard and creamy when young, and harder after longer aging.

What's the Difference Between Fromage Frais Cheese and Montasio Cheese?

• Origin: Fromage Frais Cheese (France), Montasio Cheese (Italy)
• Texture: Fromage Frais Cheese (Fresh), Montasio Cheese (Hard)
• Taste: Fromage Frais Cheese (milky, smooth), Montasio Cheese (Mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Fromage Frais Cheese Taste Like Montasio Cheese?

Fromage Frais Cheese reads as milky, smooth, while Montasio Cheese brings mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice character. On the nose, Fromage Frais Cheese offers mild, contrasted with Montasio Cheese's aromatic, pleasant.

Can You Substitute Fromage Frais Cheese for Montasio Cheese?

Fromage Frais Cheese can stand in for Montasio Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect fresh bite and body where the recipe calls for hard. Flavor-wise, Fromage Frais Cheese reads as milky, smooth while Montasio Cheese brings mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice notes.

Which Is Better, Fromage Frais Cheese or Montasio Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a fresh cheese, go with Fromage Frais Cheese. For a hard profile, Montasio Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Fromage Frais Cheese suits recipes that want milky, smooth notes, while Montasio Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fromage Frais Cheese the same as Montasio Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Fromage Frais Cheese originates in France, while Montasio Cheese comes from Italy.

Is Fromage Frais Cheese similar to Montasio Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Fromage Frais Cheese for Montasio Cheese?

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

Does Fromage Frais Cheese taste like Montasio Cheese?

Fromage Frais Cheese reads as milky, smooth, while Montasio Cheese is mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice. Aromas also diverge. Fromage Frais Cheese leans mild, and Montasio Cheese is closer to aromatic, pleasant.

What is Fromage Frais Cheese made of?

Fromage Frais Cheese is made from milk. It originates in France.

What is Montasio Cheese made of?

Montasio Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged fresco: 60-120 days; mezzano: 120 days-10 months; stagionato: 10-18 months; stravecchio: over 18 months. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Fromage Frais Cheese or Montasio Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Fromage Frais Cheese is fresh, while Montasio Cheese is hard.