Montasio Cheese vs Old Ford Cheese

Q: Is Montasio Cheese the same as Old Ford Cheese?

No. Montasio Cheese and Old Ford Cheese are distinct cheeses from Italy and England, Great Britain and United Kingdom respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Montasio Cheese for Old Ford Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Montasio Cheese for Old Ford Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Which should I choose, Montasio Cheese or Old Ford Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Montasio Cheese is a elastic to crumbly and hard cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Old Ford Cheese is semi-hard, artisan and made from goat milk, originating in England, Great Britain and United Kingdom.

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 Old Ford Cheese?

Old Ford is an artisan cheese made from unpasteurized goat's milk in Timsbury, Somerset, England. It has a semi-hard texture, making it a sturdy cheese with a satisfying bite. The flavor profile of Old Ford is a mix of buttery, citrusy, floral, salty, and savory notes, providing a refreshing yet rich taste experience. Its aroma carries barnyardy, floral, and goaty scents, adding to its rustic charm. The cheese is ivory in color, with a natural rind that adds character to its appearance. Suitable for cheese boards or paired with light wines, Old Ford is a versatile choice for various culinary applications.

What's the Difference Between Montasio Cheese and Old Ford Cheese?

Origin: Montasio Cheese (Italy), Old Ford Cheese (England, Great Britain and United Kingdom)
Milk type: Montasio Cheese (cow's milk), Old Ford Cheese (goat's milk)
Texture: Montasio Cheese (Elastic to crumbly and hard), Old Ford Cheese (semi-hard, artisan)
Taste: Montasio Cheese (Mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice), Old Ford Cheese (buttery, citrusy, floral, salty, savory)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Montasio Cheese	Old Ford Cheese
Country of Origin	Italy	England, Great Britain And United Kingdom
Specific Origin	Fruili-Venezia Giulia And Parts Of Belluno, Treviso, Padua, And Venice In Veneto	Timsbury, Somerset
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Goat's milk
Milk Treatment	Unpasteurized	Unpasteurized
Texture	Elastic to crumbly and hard	Semi-hard, artisan
Rind	Natural	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	Buttery, citrusy, floral, salty, savory

Taste Comparison: Does Montasio Cheese Taste Like Old Ford Cheese?

Montasio Cheese reads as mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice, while Old Ford Cheese brings buttery, citrusy, floral, salty, savory character. On the nose, Montasio Cheese offers aromatic, pleasant, contrasted with Old Ford Cheese's barnyardy, floral, goaty.

Can You Substitute Montasio Cheese for Old Ford Cheese?

Montasio Cheese can stand in for Old Ford Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect elastic to crumbly and hard bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard, artisan. Flavor-wise, Montasio Cheese reads as mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice while Old Ford Cheese brings buttery, citrusy, floral, salty, savory notes.

Which Is Better, Montasio Cheese or Old Ford Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a elastic to crumbly and hard cheese, go with Montasio Cheese. For a semi-hard, artisan profile, Old Ford Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Montasio Cheese suits recipes that want mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice notes, while Old Ford Cheese fits dishes calling for buttery, citrusy, floral, salty, savory.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Montasio Cheese the same as Old Ford Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Montasio Cheese originates in Italy, while Old Ford Cheese comes from England, Great Britain and United Kingdom. Montasio Cheese is made from cow milk; Old Ford Cheese uses goat.

Is Montasio Cheese similar to Old Ford Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Montasio Cheese for Old Ford Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Montasio Cheese taste like Old Ford Cheese?

Montasio Cheese reads as mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice, while Old Ford Cheese is buttery, citrusy, floral, salty, savory. Aromas also diverge. Montasio Cheese leans aromatic, pleasant, and Old Ford Cheese is closer to barnyardy, floral, goaty.

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 Old Ford Cheese made of?

Old Ford Cheese is made from goat milk (unpasteurized). It originates in England, Great Britain and United Kingdom.

Which should I choose, Montasio Cheese or Old Ford Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Montasio Cheese is elastic to crumbly and hard, while Old Ford Cheese is semi-hard, artisan.