Montasio Cheese vs Parmesan Cheese

Montasio Cheese is a hard cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Parmesan Cheese is hard and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

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 Parmesan Cheese?

Parmesan, or Parmigiano Reggiano, is a hard granular cow's milk cheese from northern Italy, aged at least 12 months. It is known for its sharp, salty, savory taste, which comes from an unusually high level of glutamate.

What's the Difference Between Montasio Cheese and Parmesan Cheese?

• Aging: Montasio Cheese (Fresco: 60-120 days; Mezzano: 120 days-10 months; Stagionato: 10-18 months; Stravecchio: over 18 months), Parmesan Cheese (minimum 12 months, average 2 years)
• Taste: Montasio Cheese (Mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice), Parmesan Cheese (salty, savory)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Montasio Cheese Taste Like Parmesan Cheese?

Montasio Cheese reads as mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice, while Parmesan Cheese brings salty, savory character. On the nose, Montasio Cheese offers aromatic, pleasant, contrasted with Parmesan Cheese's nutty, strong. More specifically, Montasio Cheese shows evolves from mild, creamy, and fruity to fuller, more savory and piquant, with hints of spice as it ages, while Parmesan Cheese leans toward sharp, salty, savory, strong umami. Aging plays into this as well. Montasio Cheese at fresco: 60-120 days; mezzano: 120 days-10 months; stagionato: 10-18 months; stravecchio: over 18 months develops a different profile than Parmesan Cheese at minimum 12 months, average 2 years.

Can You Substitute Montasio Cheese for Parmesan Cheese?

In most recipes, Montasio Cheese and Parmesan Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Flavor-wise, Montasio Cheese reads as mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice while Parmesan Cheese brings salty, savory notes.

Which Is Better, Montasio Cheese or Parmesan Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. Flavor-wise, Montasio Cheese suits recipes that want mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice notes, while Parmesan Cheese fits dishes calling for salty, savory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Montasio Cheese the same as Parmesan Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Montasio Cheese is typically aged fresco: 60-120 days; mezzano: 120 days-10 months; stagionato: 10-18 months; stravecchio: over 18 months, Parmesan Cheese minimum 12 months, average 2 years.

Is Montasio Cheese similar to Parmesan Cheese?

Yes, they share close profiles. Same milk base and similar texture make them workable alternatives in many recipes.

Can I substitute Montasio Cheese for Parmesan Cheese?

Yes, quite easily. The milk base and texture are close enough that most recipes won't notice the swap.

Does Montasio Cheese taste like Parmesan Cheese?

Montasio Cheese reads as mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice, while Parmesan Cheese is salty, savory. Aromas also diverge. Montasio Cheese leans aromatic, pleasant, and Parmesan Cheese is closer to nutty, strong.

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 Parmesan Cheese made of?

Parmesan Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using animal (calf rennet) rennet. It's typically aged minimum 12 months, average 2 years. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Montasio Cheese or Parmesan Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.