Montasio-Style Cheese vs Queso Camerano
Montasio-Style Cheese is a cheese, while Queso Camerano is soft to semi-soft (fresh, soft); semi-hard to hard (semi-cured, cured) and made from goat milk.
What Is Montasio-Style Cheese?
Montasio-Style cheese is a semi-hard cheese originally from the Friuli Venezia Giulia and Veneto regions of Italy. It is made from cow's milk and has a smooth, pale yellow rind. The cheese typically ages for several months, developing a firm texture and a mild, nutty flavor. Younger Montasio-Style cheese is creamy and slightly tangy, while aged versions become crumbly with a more pronounced sharpness. It is often used in cooking, grated over pasta dishes or melted in traditional recipes. Montasio-Style cheese pairs well with fruity white wines and is enjoyed as part of a cheese platter.
What Is Queso Camerano?
Queso Camerano is a goat's milk cheese from the Sierra de los Cameros in La Rioja, Spain, sold fresh, tierno, semi-cured or cured. It is known for the basketwork pattern left by the cilla, the wicker mold it is pressed in, and has held protected designation of origin status since 2009.
What's the Difference Between Montasio-Style Cheese and Queso Camerano?
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Montasio-Style Cheese | Queso Camerano | |
|---|---|---|
| Specific Origin | — | La Rioja (Rioja Alta, Sierra Rioja Alta, Sierra Rioja Media, Sierra De Rioja Baja, And Other Specified Municipalities) |
| Milk Type | — | Goat |
| Milk Treatment | — | Pasteurized (for fresh, soft, and semi-cured); raw or pasteurized (for cured) |
| Texture | — | Soft to semi-soft (fresh, soft); semi-hard to hard (semi-cured, cured) |
| Rind | — | None (fresh, soft); defined with mold (semi-cured, cured) |
| Aging | — | Fresh (0 days), Soft (15+ days), Semi-cured (30+ days), Cured (75+ days) |
| Taste | — | Mild, slightly acidic (fresh); stronger, slightly salty, musty (aged) |
Taste Comparison: Does Montasio-Style Cheese Taste Like Queso Camerano?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Montasio-Style Cheese for Queso Camerano?
Montasio-Style Cheese can stand in for Queso Camerano in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Montasio-Style Cheese or Queso Camerano?
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 Montasio-Style Cheese the same as Queso Camerano?
No, they're distinct cheeses.
Is Montasio-Style Cheese similar to Queso Camerano?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Montasio-Style Cheese for Queso Camerano?
You can, but expect a shift in flavor and finish.
Does Montasio-Style Cheese taste like Queso Camerano?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Montasio-Style Cheese made of?
Montasio-Style Cheese is made from milk.
What is Queso Camerano made of?
Queso Camerano is made from goat milk (pasteurized (for fresh, soft, and semi-cured); raw or pasteurized (for cured)), using kid, lamb or industrial rennet. It's typically aged fresh (0 days), soft (15+ days), semi-cured (30+ days), cured (75+ days).
Which should I choose, Montasio-Style Cheese or Queso Camerano?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.