Montasio Cheese vs Montasio-Style Cheese
Montasio Cheese is a elastic to crumbly and hard cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Montasio-Style Cheese is .
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 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's the Difference Between Montasio Cheese and Montasio-Style Cheese?
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Montasio Cheese | Montasio-Style Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | — |
| Specific Origin | Fruili-Venezia Giulia And Parts Of Belluno, Treviso, Padua, And Venice In Veneto | — |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | — |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | — |
| Texture | Elastic to crumbly and hard | — |
| Rind | Natural | — |
| Aging | Fresco: 60-120 days; Mezzano: 120 days-10 months; Stagionato: 10-18 months; Stravecchio: over 18 months | — |
| Taste | Mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Montasio Cheese Taste Like Montasio-Style Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Montasio Cheese for Montasio-Style Cheese?
Montasio Cheese can stand in for Montasio-Style Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Montasio Cheese or Montasio-Style Cheese?
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 Cheese the same as Montasio-Style Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses.
Is Montasio Cheese similar to Montasio-Style Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Montasio Cheese for Montasio-Style Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in flavor and finish.
Does Montasio Cheese taste like Montasio-Style Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
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.
What is Montasio-Style Cheese made of?
Montasio-Style Cheese is made from milk.
Which should I choose, Montasio Cheese or Montasio-Style Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.