Glarner Alpkäse Cheese vs Montasio Cheese
Glarner Alpkäse Cheese
Montasio Cheese
Glarner Alpkäse Cheese is a cow-milk cheese, while Montasio Cheese is elastic to crumbly and hard and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Glarner Alpkäse Cheese?
Glarner Alpkäse is a Swiss raw cow's milk cheese made on the alpine pastures of Glarus during the summer grazing season. The wheels have no holes and reach the market in mild, spicy and sharp grades. It has held AOP protection since 2014.
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 Glarner Alpkäse Cheese and Montasio Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Glarner Alpkäse Cheese (raw), Montasio Cheese (unpasteurized)
- Rind: Glarner Alpkäse Cheese (natural, formed in a salt bath), Montasio Cheese (natural)
- Taste: Glarner Alpkäse Cheese (mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening), Montasio Cheese (Mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Glarner Alpkäse Cheese | Montasio Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Glarus, Switzerland | Fruili-Venezia Giulia And Parts Of Belluno, Treviso, Padua, And Venice In Veneto |
| Milk Type | Cow | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | — | Elastic to crumbly and hard |
| Rind | Natural, formed in a salt bath | Natural |
| Aging | — | Fresco: 60-120 days; Mezzano: 120 days-10 months; Stagionato: 10-18 months; Stravecchio: over 18 months |
| Taste | Mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening | Mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice |
Taste Comparison: Does Glarner Alpkäse Cheese Taste Like Montasio Cheese?
Glarner Alpkäse Cheese reads as mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening, while Montasio Cheese brings mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice character.
Can You Substitute Glarner Alpkäse Cheese for Montasio Cheese?
In most recipes, Glarner Alpkäse Cheese and Montasio Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Flavor-wise, Glarner Alpkäse Cheese reads as mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening while Montasio Cheese brings mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice notes.
Which Is Better, Glarner Alpkäse Cheese or Montasio Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. Flavor-wise, Glarner Alpkäse Cheese suits recipes that want mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening notes, while Montasio Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Glarner Alpkäse Cheese the same as Montasio Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses.
Is Glarner Alpkäse Cheese similar to Montasio Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Glarner Alpkäse Cheese for Montasio Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in flavor and finish.
Does Glarner Alpkäse Cheese taste like Montasio Cheese?
Glarner Alpkäse Cheese reads as mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening, while Montasio Cheese is mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice.
What is Glarner Alpkäse Cheese made of?
Glarner Alpkäse Cheese is made from cow milk (raw).
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, Glarner Alpkäse Cheese or Montasio Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.